Western Equatoria Governor Calls for Civilian Protection as UNMISS Plans Road Rehabilitation

By Waure Eddy

Western Equatoria State Caretaker Governor Badagbu Daniel Rimbasa has called for inclusive dialogue, stronger civilian protection and increased humanitarian assistance as the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) plans to rehabilitate key roads and seeks additional troops to strengthen its operations in the state.

The issues were discussed during a meeting in Yambio on Wednesday between Governor Rimbasa and UNMISS officials, including Njoki Kinyanjui, Head of the UNMISS Yambio Field Office, and Emmanuel Dukudani.

Kinyanjui said UNMISS plans to rehabilitate the Yambio–Mundri road during the upcoming dry season before proceeding to the Yambio–Tambura road. The works aim to improve access and make the routes more passable.

She said approximately 30 engineers were already in the area to support the basic rehabilitation works, emphasizing that the activities would not involve major construction.

Kinyanjui also stressed the importance of cooperation between UNMISS, the state government and local communities to ensure the safety of the engineers and identify suitable local sources of maram, a material used in road rehabilitation.

In addition to the planned road works, UNMISS has requested additional reserve platoons from its headquarters in Juba to strengthen civilian protection and patrol operations across Western Equatoria.

Kinyanjui explained that the mission’s current deployment of approximately 384 troops limits its ability to conduct multiple long-distance patrols simultaneously. She said additional personnel would improve patrol coverage, enable quicker responses to security developments and help protect UNMISS activities.

For his part, Governor Rimbasa called for inclusive, community-led dialogue involving church leaders, civil society organizations, traditional authorities, youth and women’s representatives to address insecurity and strengthen peace across the state.

He also raised concerns about the security situation in Tambura, where some young people reportedly taken by force have expressed a willingness to return to civilian life but fear the surrender process.

The governor called for safe arrangements to facilitate their return, including weapons handover, demobilization, psychosocial support and counseling. He emphasized the need for community engagement to prevent the stigmatization of those willing to return.

Rimbasa further urged stronger coordination in providing civilian protection and humanitarian assistance to affected communities in Tambura, [Mabanga/Nabanga] and Mundri, noting that funding shortages have worsened the challenges facing humanitarian operations.

He called on government authorities, local communities, and humanitarian and development partners to coordinate their efforts to avoid duplication and ensure that immediate assistance is complemented by longer-term development initiatives.

The discussions highlighted the need for closer cooperation between UNMISS, the state government and local communities to improve security, expand humanitarian access and support peacebuilding efforts across Western Equatoria State.