| In recent weeks, several attacks have occurred in different areas of Bazungua. Armed men attacked a military checkpoint and nearby houses, killing two people. They threw the bodies into the fire and burned homes and a stranded truck. A few days later in Bazumbura, they vandalized the clinic, took medicines, and abducted some men to carry the stolen goods to their camp. The men were released the next day, but fear remained among the people.
The following week, another attack happened in Makpandu. The armed group burned the wildlife station and the military barracks. The commander-in-chief of the military was wounded in his arm. The soldiers were outnumbered and had to retreat. The dispensary was looted, and the guard who tried to protect it lost his life. Because of these incidents, many people live in tension and often hide in the bush for safety. In those moments, I sometimes ask myself, “When will this end?” Amid this uncertainty, doubts and fears arise within me. Yet prayer reminds me that God has called me to this mission. Faith gives me strength and perseverance to continue serving despite the challenges. Riimenze has remained untouched so far, and recently the government sent additional soldiers to protect the people. Their presence brings some reassurance to the community. This experience has become a personal testimony for me that God is always present. Even in uncertainty and fear, I have learned to trust more deeply in God. With the support of my colleagues, the community, and my congregation, I continue this mission with hope and faith that peace will one day return. In God’s Mission, Sr. Veronica Aῆonuevo, ICM |
Date Published:17 March 2026 Author:Veronica Flores Añonuevo, ICM
Article Tags: South Sudan, Blog, Solidarity |
