The violent clashes could be traced to an earlier conflict which started in December 2013, as a result of a political row between Salva Kiir and his deputy Riek Machar. Salva Kiir accused Riek Machar of plotting a coup d’état to overthrow him (Salva Kiir).

This spiraled into an armed conflict with Riek Machar breaking away from the then government with half of the country’s soldiers to form SPLA-IO.  The SPLA is also referred to as government forces whilst SPLA-IO is referred to as opposition forces.

Until the violent clashes that broke out in Juba in July last year, the conflict was mainly focused in 3 States (Regions) of South Sudan as both the SPLA and SPLA-IO battled for control of these States.  These are Upper Nile, Jonglei and Unity States.

Ghana has contributed a battalion for peacekeeping duties with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).  This is in addition to military staff and liaison officers.  The Ghana Battalion (GHANBATT) is deployed to Unity State, one of the active conflict states.  Hardly does a day go by without at least some sporadic firing in Unity State.

Shortly after the last clashes broke in Juba, the clashes spread to other parts of South Sudan including a town called Leer in Unity State, in the northern part of South Sudan.

In this town, GHANBATT has deployed a Company Operating Base (COB) to ensure the safety and security of the populace.  In the early hours of 13^th July 2016, there was heavy fire exchange between the SPLA and SPLA-IO forces in Leer.

The firing included long burst of PKM machine gun, Rocket Propelled Grenades and 106 mm anti-tank.

Several civilians caught in the cross fire begun running to GHANBATT for protection.  As the fighting intensified a distress call was placed to GHANBATT to extract staff of International Non-governmental Organisations (INGOs) who were also located in Leer offering humanitarian services to the people.

Another extraction request was again made to GHANBATT to extract staff of Médecins Sans Frontière (MSF) who had been blocked/prevented by SPLA-IO forces in Thonyor from reaching GHANBATT in Leer.

GHANBATT immediately despatched a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) to the humanitarian hub where the INGOs were located in Leer.

The QRF was however denied passage and access to the humanitarian hub by government forces.  Concurrently, a second QRF unit was dispatched to also extract the MSF staff from Thonyor.

The QRF unit going to extract the MSF staff from Thonyor was also denied passage and access to the MSF staff this time by opposition forces led by Brigadier General Mawich.

The first QRF unit by late morning extracted the INGO staff from the humanitarian hub, who had earlier been blocked by the government forces.

The second QRF unit was unable to extract the others from Thonyor as Brigadier General Mawich, the opposition forces commander still denied the QRF access to those stranded.  As the day passed, the fighting intensified at particular times; and sporadic at other times.

Several hundreds of other civilians caught up in the fighting were protected and cared for by GHANBATT throughout the period of insecurity.  It was not until the second day that the QRF was able to extract the MSF staff from Thonyor.

Due to the security situation, all flights in and out of South Sudan were suspended.  Some foreign embassies including the U.S.A. and Germany started evacuating their staff from South Sudan.  Arrangements were also made to evacuate the humanitarian staff from Leer.

GHANBATT deployed troops to secure the Leer airstrip after it had been cleared of un-exploded ordnance devices.  Before sunset on 14^th July, 2 aircrafts, one operated by ICRC and the other by MSF touched down at Leer Airstrip and evacuated the humanitarian staff.  The humanitarian hub including all offices and hospital was looted and vandalized by forces involved in the conflict.

In view of the grounding of all flights in South Sudan during the period, the GHANBATT Operating Base in Leer was unable to receive its regular supplies.  A special road convoy mission using Typhoon mine resistant ambush protected (MRAP) armored fighting vehicles (AFVs) had to be undertaken to send supplies to the Base in Leer.  This was another daunting mission as the road was highly inaccessible and further worsened by the threats of attacks.

The clashes that broke out in Juba in July 2016 received a lot of media attention across the world.  Support by other countries/battalions was well covered by the international media.

The casualties sustained by other countries/battalions were covered as well.  Nothing was however mentioned of GHANBATT’s effort at restoring peace in Leer.  The GHANBATT “story” must be told!

It is worth commending GHANBATT 4 on the good work done during the insecurity situation in Leer.  Congratulations to both the Commanding Officer and the COB in Leer on a job well done.

It should be known that GHANBATT 4 troops had to endeavour numerous risks at the peril of their lives to protect the vulnerable.

The improvement in security, support to the humanitarian agencies and civilians come about through the maximum effort from all members of GHANBATT 4.

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By: Major Fiifi Deegbe

The post Acknowledging the Ghana Battalion’s peacekeeping efforts in South Sudan appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Health facilities in the region have been subjected to looting during the on-going conflict.  In addition, several local health partners were evacuated, leaving the county without a functioning health facility to provide basic services.

These dire circumstances made UN peacekeepers step in to offer aid to pregnant women suffering complications during delivery at the clinic in Leer.

Dr. Bny Agyiri, a physician with the Ghanaian battalion operating at the temporary base, explained their activities in the county.

“Personally, as a peacekeeper, it is very sad to see people dying when you can provide healthcare to them or when you can assist them as a medical doctor.”

Currently in Leer, there is no hospital, clinic or health post at the moment and GHANBATT has taken it upon themselves to help these people,” he said.

Dr. Agyiri said he has personally delivered 35 newborns with a 100 per cent survival rate.

“I want to let people know that we are here for them and that they shouldn’t hesitate to call on us any time if it is an emergency,” he said.

Mary Nyadeng, 36, who experienced complications during her delivery, was appreciative of the aid the peacekeepers at the medical clinic provided.

“The UN did something very good for us all who delivered here. Like me, I was given drips and drugs in the UN clinic. I am very pleased about that. Many thanks to the UN peacekeepers for saving my life and my child’s. My baby is now healthy and growing very well,” Nyadeng said.

She added that,

“I want this hospital to be upgraded so that the peacekeepers can continue helping us.”

Another patient, 26-year-old Maria Nyarick, also thanked GHANBATT for the aid,

“We are happy with the UN Peacekeepers because they have assisted us during our problems and they are still standing with us today. I have much appreciation for the great job they are doing.  They are protecting us and at the same time they are providing us with medical services.”

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ghanaian peacekeepers providing medical services in South Sudan appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

[flickr orderby=”latest” ]Ghanaian troops serving in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been decorated with their first ever United Nations (UN) medal for their efforts in keeping peace in the East African country.

The soldiers were honored at a ceremony on Friday, October 14, at the Headquarters of the Ghanaian Battalion in Kinshasa.

Delivering the address on behalf of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), Maman Sambo Sidikou, the FC, acknowledged that the presence of a high powered Military Delegation from Ghana led by the Chief of Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces, Major General Sampson Kudjo Adati at the ceremony, signified the commitment of Ghana towards global peace and security.

According to the FC, the record of the Ghanaian troops had been impeccable over the tour of duty.

He recounted the selfless services of the Ghanbatt 12 that had extended beyond military duties to humanitarian activities that had endeared Ghanbatt and MONUSCO to the good people of the DRC.

He reiterated that, the provision of free Medical and Dental care to locals that visit Ghanbatt 12’s health facilities, various donations of food items, cash and transportation among other things to orphanages in the Ghanbatt Area of Responsibility, collaborative efforts and friendly relationship with the local Security Services and Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) in DRC, will always be remembered.

The Force Commander, spoke well of the professionalism and outstanding commitment shown by Ghanaian Battalions to the cause of peace in Congo for the past 60 years.

The FC cautioned troops to respect and uphold the United Nations Zero Tolerance Policy on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.

He did not mince words in stating that, one act of misconduct or indiscipline by any peacekeeper was going to negate all the gains made by Ghanaian Battalions over the period.

Other recipients of the peace medals were MONUSCO Staff Officers as well as Military Observers drawn from various countries serving in the Mission.

The Medal Presentation Parade was followed by a showcase of various performances depicting the rich cultural dances in Ghana to entertain the guests.

Other members of the delegation from Ghana were; Col Osei-Owusu Joseph Prince, Col Kumi Kenneth Kweku, Lt Col Solomon Awah and Cdr Faustina Boakyewaa Anokye.

Present at the ceremony were UN Local and International Staff, Ghanaians living in DRC, personnel of the various Security Services in DRC, Corporate Entities in DRC and many others.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ghanaian soldiers honoured in DR Congo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.