One the eve of Southern Sudan’s independence, a top Southern Sudanese official said the people of the region had reached a day they had been struggling for since 1920.

“This has been a very expensive and painful exercise, with over 2.5 million people dead.” Government of Southern Sudan Minister of Information Barnaba Marial Benjamin said today at a Juba press conference.

He added that all would bear witness to history – the transformation of the map of Africa – and the realization of southern people’s dreams -- the Republic of South Sudan.

Radio Miraya Studios UNMIS, Juba

UNMIS Regional Coordinator, David Gressly: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen and welcome back to the Miraya FM studios. It’s been a little over three months since our last media encounter and there is a lot of ground to cover in the time we have today.

5 July 2011 - With three days left before the UNMIS mandate ends, Southern Sudan Regional Coordinator David Gressly held a final press conference in the regional capital Juba, where he highlighted achievements of the mission and its partners.

“(Radio Miraya) stands out as one of the mission’s success stories,” Mr. Gressly said. “It ranks today as the go-to source for fair and balanced news coverage of development in the region.”

UN Radio Miraya FM, which began broadcasting in June 2006, is the most popular radio station in Southern Sudan.

1 July 2011 – As part of effort to transform the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) into a professional force, UNMIS in partnership with AECOM management services firm conducted an emergency life support course for 10 SPLA doctors today at the Bangladeshi hospital in Juba.

Carried out by 10 Bangladeshi doctors and an international volunteer from Juba Teaching Hospital, the activity was funded by an AECOM project supporting SPLA medical services and training. Topics included cardio pulmonary emergencies, loss of consciousness, shock, drowning and electric shock.

27 June - The past week has allowed me to visit four very different areas of this vast and beautiful country Khartoum, South Sudan, the North-South border area, and Darfur. I have had the opportunity to speak with Government officials, human rights defenders, internally displaces people, member of the international community, and my UN colleagues who work – in very trying conditions I truly appreciate.

24 June 2011 - After completing a six-week driving course in Aweil, Northern Bahr El-Ghazal State, ex-combatants in the Disarmament Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) programme were today awarded certificates and driving licenses.

The activity in the state capital, which was attended by 14 former soldiers, was organized by the South Sudan DDR Commission (SSDDRC) and sponsored by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

23 June 2011 – To discuss and obtain views about its draft public information (PI) strategy, the Southern Sudan Disarmament Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) Commission and UNDDR held a one-day workshop today in Malakal, Upper Nile State.

The participatory workshop was attended by 16 representatives who mapped out a DDR information strategy in post-independent South Sudan.

In opening remarks, Upper Nile State SSDDRC Coordinator David Jal outlined the facilitators' task.

21 June 2011 - Just weeks before Southern Sudan declares its independence, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Kyung-wha Kang began a two-day visit to the region.

Ms. Kang held meetings with high-ranking Government of Southern Sudan officials, including Vice-President of Southern Sudan Dr. Riek Machar Teny and Minister of Regional Cooperation Deng Alor to discuss how human rights can be integrated into new state building efforts after 9 July.

Ayak Deng made her way to Abyei market early one May morning to buy the day’s food for herself and her mother, who was at home looking after her young son.

Wandering around the stalls an hour later, Ms. Deng’s life suddenly took a drastic turn as conflict erupted in the town and she was forced to flee.

Days later, the 20-year-old mother arrived in Turalei, Warrap State, separated from her mother and son.