The Banton Bridge is a vital transportation link, playing an essential role in ensuring security and supporting the socio-economic life of people in Abyei. Over the years, the bridge had severely deteriorated, causing major difficulties for patrol operations of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), as well as for humanitarian relief efforts and the daily travel of local residents.
Entrusted by UNISFA with the mission to repair the bridge, Vietnam’s Engineering Company Rotation 4 swiftly developed technical solutions and prepared construction materials. These tasks were far from simple in Abyei, where resources are scarce, the weather is harshly hot, and technical conditions are challenging. However, driven by a strong sense of responsibility and determination to fulfill their mission, the Vietnamese peacekeepers demonstrated creativity and efficiency, completing the entire restoration in just one week.
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The restored bridge now ensures safety for pedestrians and vehicles. |
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Local residents celebrate joyfully and receive gifts from the Vietnamese engineers. |
After a long period of being nearly unusable due to its hazardous condition, the bridge has now been “brought back to life,” bringing great joy to the local community. During the handover ceremony, many residents joyfully danced on the newly strengthened bridge. With the structure now safe and reliable for both pedestrians and vehicles, locals expressed relief that their children could once again travel safely to school.
UNISFA’s Chief Military Staff Colonel Alexander De Lima highly commended the Vietnamese engineers for completing the mission within a single week. He regarded the achievement as a meaningful example of diligent and effective work that directly connects infrastructure development with security. “Every result like this contributes directly to peace, because when people have opportunities and hope, peace becomes more sustainable,” Colonel De Lima affirmed.
On this occasion, the Vietnamese engineering troops also presented essential supplies such as food as gifts to residents living near the Banton Bridge.
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Members of Vietnam’s Engineering Company Rotation 4 worked tirelessly under the sun and rain to complete the mission. |
Acting Head of the Abyei Administration Kuol Deng Rau hailed the accomplishment as a symbol of “international partnership,” where “challenges were turned into success.” Meanwhile, Nyang Doldol Nyang, Commissioner of Alal County, described the bridge as “a testament to the United Nations’ concern and Vietnam’s goodwill toward the people of Abyei.”
Particularly, Kon Maneit Matiok, Abyei’s Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Public Utilities, praised the “efficiency, discipline, and admirable work ethic” of the Vietnamese “blue berets.”
By Hai Yen (from Abyei)
Translated by Tran Hoai