For years, the people of Romich lived in near-complete isolation—no radio, no reliable phone signal, and during the rainy season, no way out.

“When it rains, we are completely cut off,” says Mary Nyak, a local resident. “To make a call, we climb trees, hoping to catch a weak signal. But most of the time, we are left in silence.”

Romich became the county headquarters of Tonj East in 2020, following South Sudan’s peace agreement. But despite its new status, progress remained slow. Roads were barely passable, and frequent communal clashes made travel even riskier.

“If there’s a conflict, the only road to town gets blocked by armed youth,” explains Deng Chol, a trader who has lost goods to roadblocks more times than he can count. Swampy borders with Lakes and Unity states further isolated the town for much of the year. Access to information was nonexistent—until now.

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) had been working since 2020 to install a Radio Miraya transmitter in Romich, bringing news, education, and peace messages to a community cut off from the world. But insecurity repeatedly delayed progress. That finally changed in 2025.

The journey to Romich wasn’t just about distance—it was a test of resilience, negotiations, and trust. Since late 2024, armed youth had set up roadblocks, halting humanitarian convoys, including deliveries of food and other assistance. Carrying the long-awaited transmitter, UNMISS peacekeepers became the first team to attempt the route in months.

At Ngabakok, the convoy was stopped by soldiers.

“We set up this roadblock because tensions are still high,” said a South Sudan People’s Defence Forces soldier. “Just days ago, youth tried to seize weapons from us.”

His concerns proved true when, just ahead, an angry group confronted the peacekeepers at another barricade. Hours of negotiations followed before the team was finally allowed through. After an 11-hour journey, the peacekeepers reached Romich—carrying not just equipment but the signal of peace.