Women displaced by ethnic violence in Tambura, Western Equatoria, continue to live under a cloud of uncertainty, reports Africa News. Since conflict erupted there in 2021 between rival community-based armed groups, thousands of civilians, particularly mothers and widows, have been forced into makeshift camps, where basic safety, access to food and services, and hope for the future remain elusive.
In an interview with Africa News, Catherine Pijani, a mother of four, shared fears for her family’s survival, saying, “Our biggest fear is we are not secure… maybe they will come and bomb us here in these tents. We are staying here… if anything happened, nobody will be our witness”.
Since the violence began, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has responded by setting up a temporary base in Tambura. Ethiopian battalion units patrol six displacement camps in the region around the clock, providing some protection and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid. Major Lul Brhane, commander of the Ethiopian UNMISS battalion, emphasised civilian safety as the mission’s top priority. Peacekeepers also work alongside local authorities to ease tensions and support reconciliation efforts.
While UNMISS’s peacebuilding efforts are praiseworthy, they are not enough. Displaced women find themselves exposed to continued violence and trauma. The inability to return home, coupled with insecure living conditions, deepens physical and psychological suffering. Many women have lost hope for their children’s futures.
Their situation underscores the urgent need for lasting peacebuilding and continued humanitarian assistance, starting with a clear assessment of conditions on the ground, an understanding of the conflict’s root causes, and sustained dialogue with affected communities.
