30 April 2023
The United Nation Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) recognised Anzac Day in Juba with representatives from Australian, New Zealand and Turkiye leading the service with colleagues from across the globe.
Contingent staff from the United Kingdom, United States and Canada attended a dawn service and gunfire breakfast, and many of the North Americans remarked on the solemn nature and camaraderie of their first ever Anzac Day.
During the dawn service, Commander Australian Contingent Colonel Dave Hughes, in his deployed role as Senior Military Liaison Officer, made comparisons of sacrifice with modern soldiers on operations.
“As I look across the flags of UNMISS nations, I see the flags of those who fought alongside the Anzacs, who shared their mateship, and left home to sacrifice and do good,” Colonel Hughes said.
“We in UNMISS have also left home to sacrifice - our time, our comfort, our family events - to come together in mateship, and do good, together under the flag of the United Nations.
“As we recognise those who have gone before us, who have served their nations and made the ultimate sacrifice, we take hope in the fact that as one, as UNMISS, we are here in South Sudan to help others avoid such loss.”
The New Zealand Contingent Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Emily Hume, with a deployed role in Force Headquarters Plans, noted the bond between the nations.
“We are proud of our shared heritage, and we recognise the importance of continuing to work together to build a better future for all,” Lieutenant Colonel Hume said.
“As we commemorate Anzac Day, let us remember the values that our soldiers fought and died for: courage, comradeship and sacrifice. Let us honour their memory by striving for a world in which these values are upheld.”
Gunfire breakfast master of ceremonies Major James Stamell provided a historic perspective of the Gallipoli campaign which taught members of all nations the enduring Anzac spirit.
The Turkish Senior National Representative, Murat Isik, the UNMISS Police Chief of Staff, spoke at the breakfast of the significance to Turkiye of the events of Gallipoli, and recounted the famous words of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, a commander of Ottoman forces at the Dardenelles.
“You, the mothers who sent their sons from faraway countries, wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well,” Mr Isik said.
South Sudan continues to work towards a brighter future; however, there are many challenges, with progress being hard-earned by UNMISS, UN and Government of South Sudan agencies, and easily lost or compromised due to a range of difficult factors.
Political, tribal and internally displaced persons factors can trigger conflict, as can food security and aspects such as cattle-herding across regions impacting crops or resources owned by local townships.
See the UNMISS website for more information.
