A 50kg aircraft bomb that failed to explode, when it was airdropped in Juba during South Sudan’s war for independence, was safely defused on Wednesday.
The bomb, which was discovered in the area of Mangateen close to the final flight path of aircraft onto the runway, was initially identified by the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), who requested the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) to remove the explosive device.
The head of the UN Mission (UNMISS), David Shearer said the exercise was a “routine” job and “incredibly” important across South Sudan.
“As the war [in South Sudan] has continued over many, many years, there have been ordnances and this sort of ammunition has been found,” he told reporters.
Shearer further said UNMAS has been working in coordination with the relevant national authorities and UNMISS to conduct the operation.
Last year, according to UNMAS, South Sudan passed the 5,000 figure for people killed or injured in landmine-related incidents.
“This is a real life danger, but we are working hard to clear threats,” Richard Boulter, the Programme Manager of UNMAS told reporters.
Boulter said UNMAS, operational in South Sudan since 2003, will sometime next month destroy the millionth explosive item in the country.
“And that is not including bullets, that includes hand grenades, mortars, artillery rounds, aircraft bombs and land mines,” he stressed.
Meanwhile UNMAS urged citizens to report any explosive devices they encounter to their hotline number 0920001055 for a response.
“Report to our hotlines and our teams will deal with it,” said Boulter.