With my bags packed: the perspective of a UN Volunteer leaving South Sudan after four years
"One thing is abundantly clear: everyone is tired of war. The people cry and hope for peace.” This is the feeling that lingers in the mind of United Nations Volunteer Marko Miljevic as he prepares to leave South Sudan after four years of service as a Civil Affairs Officer. Originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Marko Miljevic joined the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) at a time when the country was emerging from the 2016 violence and beginning its long journey towards peace and recovery.
Four years ago, I realized that the very idea of peace seemed almost mythical to citizens in South Sudan. This was understandable given the country had been experiencing conflict for a protracted period of time. However, one thing is clear – there is unlimited potential for development once peace is established in this resource-rich country. --Marko Miljevic, UN Volunteer Civil Affairs Officer with UNMISS, South Sudan