UNMISS and SSPDF visitors in Toumbura /UN Photo.

By Awuou Michael Chol

Some Residents in Tambura IDP camp in Western Equatoria State have renewed calls for psychosocial support and stronger peace building efforts following a visit by the United Nations peacekeeping mission.

The visit marked the first time the mission has returned to the area since closing its temporary base in January 2026.

As a UN helicopter touched down in the camp, residents gathered to share their concerns, saying that although relative calm has returned since violence erupted in 2021, deep psychological wounds remain haunting them.

Sadia Kazima, a resident of the camp in Tambura, described the lasting trauma of losing family members and the daily hardships of displacement.

“We need the government and other organizations to provide psychosocial support so we can free our minds from the terrible things we witnessed,” Kazima said

She further revealed she is carrying painful memories of losing her family during the crisis.

“Life here is very difficult; this is the right time for partners to step in and help, we have some peace now, but we still live in fear”. she added.

Sadia Anzodo, faith leaders also emphasized the need for reconciliation and community-led solutions.

“We need locally driven solutions,” Anzodo said, noting that many children remain out of school due to the impact of conflict.

“We need peace, and we need elections so we can choose leaders who will bring stability.” She added.

Father Santino Wise, Parish Priest of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, called for greater unity among leaders, warning that sidelining any group undermines efforts to achieve lasting peace.

“There is no cooperation among stakeholders to end the conflict. If one group is sidelined, achieving peace becomes very difficult,” he said.

The UN mission assured residents of its continued engagement in the area despite operational challenges linked to a global funding crisis affecting peacekeeping and humanitarian operations.

As the helicopter departed, residents expressed cautious hope that renewed attention to their concerns could help advance recovery, stability, and long-term peace in Tambura.

Tambura County in Western Equatoria State, South Sudan, has experienced significant conflict characterized by inter-communal violence, attacks by armed groups, and land disputes, leading to the displacement of humanitarian organizations.