UN Peacekeepers Break Ground
Ethiopian blue-berets from UNMISS spent Saturday morning clearing weeds and debris from the deserted Gbudue Stadium, marking the first physical step in its long-awaited rehabilitation.
Jane Kony, UNMISS Head of Office in Western Equatoria, said the operation ‘shows our joint resolve to keep young people busy on the pitch, not on the frontline’, as more than 100 troops joined locals.
Government Applauds Sporting Revival
Acting governor Justin Joseph Marona called the initiative ‘a milestone for Western Equatoria’s return to normal life’, urging other partners to emulate UNMISS and channel resources into sports infrastructure.
‘The stadium stands for hope, peace and an empowered generation,’ he added, reminding residents that unity and forgiveness remain vital companions to concrete and grass.
Youth Empowerment and Peacebuilding
State sports minister Charles Gamboripai believes fresh grass roots rivalries will replace old tensions. ‘Football unites faster than any speech,’ he noted, encouraging the private sector to back similar projects across the ten counties.
Roto Justin of the Yambio Football Association outlined urgent needs—perimeter walls, gates and a playable pitch—to make the venue safe and revenue-generating. Entry fees, he said, can keep teenagers ‘away from negative activities’.
Economic and Social Prospects
A refurbished 2010-era stadium is expected to attract regional tournaments, vendors and small businesses, injecting cash into a town still healing from years of insecurity.
Local observers stress that sustained maintenance funding, rather than ribbon-cutting ceremonies, will determine whether Gbudue Stadium regains its status as Western Equatoria’s beating sporting heart.