Motorcyclists in campaign for peace and safety
Channel: UNMISS VIDEOS
Date: 2018-04-06

STORYLINE:
As part of its Protection of Civilians mandate, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has launched a massive road safety campaign in the capital Juba, targeting motorcycle taxis, locally known as boda bodas.

For these boda boda riders, plying the Juba streets without vests and helmets has become a way of life. 

Still, they do it anyway, providing transporting people around the city for a living. 

Exhibiting their best behavior, they have arrived early at the start-point of a road safety campaign, but clearly, ill-equipped.

Today is a big day for each one of them. They are being kitted with safety helmets and reflective vests, at the start point of a road safety campaign targeting close to 3,000 who ply the country’s capital day and night.

1,500 safety helmets and 1500 reflective jackets will be distributed.

Among the mostly male taxi riders who have arrived for the launch of this road safety campaign is Susan Jamila Abdallah – one of two women who courageously goes about her days in this male-dominated field.  She uses her income to help raise her late sibling’s four children.
  
SOUNDBITE (ARABIC) Susan Jamila Abdallah:
“We need peace to come to our country. It is written here ‘ride for peace’, because we need peace in our country, so that everything will be okay, because right now in this crisis, the boda boda riders are the ones who are facing problems.”

For both the boda boda riders and UNMISS, this city-wide campaign is a first, and it is expected to raise the stakes in road safety countrywide.

SOUNDBITE (English) Wek Kenyi, Motorcycle Rider
“It is very important for us to have helmets and reflectors, so in case of accidents it protects.”

Together with the South Sudan Boda Boda Association, UNMISS has been conducting various workshop trainings with different motorcyclists, aimed at saving lives on the road while at the same time reminding cyclist on the need to respect road safety signs while maintaining speed limits, keep safe distances and ensure the roadworthiness of their vehicles . As part of the trainings, cyclists also had the opportunity to learn about the role of the UN Mission in the country, and the importance of every individual in maintaining peace.  

SOUNDBITE (English) Morbe Simon Andrew – Motorcycle rider
“The land of South Sudan, youth have been used in some places where we don’t get peace in it, so as youth, as we express our ride in peace today, you are going to see there is gonna be peace in the land of South Sudan.”

For each of the riders, a lap around the city brought back the attractiveness in their lucrative industry. 

SOUNDBITE (English) Jackson Nimbona, Motorcycle rider
“Every boda boda (motorcyclist) man can just ride where there is peace. If there is no peace no one can just ride.”

Joining in in his first ever motorcycle ride in the city, the head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, David  Shearer, said  he enjoyed the ride and would continue to support the road safety campaign and the boda boda cyclists, as without them the city would come to a standstill.

SOUNDBITE (English) Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of UNMISS, David Shearer
“It’s about protection, and we are protecting civilians in conflict, but also protecting civilians on the streets. If we can make people have a safer experience on the back of a motor bike, then it is good for everybody.”

It is hoped that this maiden road safety campaign can be replicated across various regional capitals, and as a result the youthful male and female boda boda cyclists can help influence and inculcate a culture of road safety and peace countrywide. 
ENDS.