In the pre-dawn darkness, civilian and military peacekeepers gather for a security briefing as they prepare to head out on patrol along a road that has been a hotspot for armed ambushes. Protected by Nepalese troops in armoured personnel carriers, the convoy leaves the safety of the United Nations base, doing all the necessary security checks as it weaves its way through heavy early morning traffic in Juba city. Crossing the bridge across the River Nile, the long line of UN cars leaves the hustle and bustle of the city behind in favour of a more peaceful rural landscape.
The rising sun gently breaches the low-hanging clouds, casting a warm pastel glow across the fertile earth as the convoy heads south.
While it provides a stunning backdrop, the lush foliage also serves as the perfect sanctuary for people with sinister intent. In recent weeks, it has been a hiding place for gunmen attacking cars and buses, wounding and killing several civilians travelling along the road.
He wants to see the situation first-hand before deciding whether more troops and patrols are needed to help deter violence in the area.
The road was once home to dozens of thriving villages. On this day, however, the only signs of life are found at military checkpoints, where a few women and children watch on as soldiers stop cars and trucks, inspecting passengers and contents. While political violence has died away after the signing of a peace deal last year, the economic situation remains dire, creating an incentive for criminals to take what they can, when they can.
