Goodbye Yambio

Well folks, it has been quite interesting over the last several days. I left last Friday for a mandatory meeting in Juba with all Team Site Leaders, Sector Commanders, and the Deputy Police Commissioner. The weather was pretty bad last Friday and it was a rough ride in the chopper. We ended up having to do an emergency landing in quite literally the middle of nowhere.

We landed and the helicopter was immediately surrounded. Some people wearing clothes, some completely naked, and there were also several nomad cattle hearders in traditional dress (I had just broken my camera and was hoping to pick up a new one in Juba...crap). A few people could speak English and we were able to communicate with them. We had landed in a place called Ban Agok.

There were a few small tukuls in Ban Agok and a small market where we could buy some biscuits and Fanta. There was a County Commissioner stationed there so we went to visit him to determine the security situation of the area...we were going to have to sleep in the chopper. The County Commissioner advised us that there was nothing to worry about.

I have to say that sleeping in a helicopter with 3 Bangladesh Battalion officers and 4 Russian pilots was a little tight. And no, the pilots were not female. The metal seats were a little hard and I don't think any of us got alot of sleep. The next morning we were able to take off and headed to Bor to refuel and then continued to Juba.

My meeting was at 0900 and I waltz in at 0930 unshaven, wrinkled, and tired. By the time I got there, everyone already knew the story of my flight delay. The meeting was a joke. The mission is suffering a lot of changes due to the newly appointed Deputy Commissioner. It would take me a long time to explain, but basically it has to do with internal politics and egos and several people are unhappy right now.

I had been thinking of a move half way through my mission to see and try something new and I took the opportunity in Juba to speak with my Sector Commander. They told me that they were in the middle of shuffling several people around due to shortages in manpower and he offered me Juba. I declined immediately. Juba is big, has all the food and amenities you need, but it is not as clean and quiet like other smaller team sites. He then offered me Yei or Torit. I said yes.

The Deputy Police Commissioner approached me the next day and told me I had to pick 2 other UNPOL officers to have redeployed immediately. I arrived back in Yambio on Monday and found that I had been transfered to Maridi to take over as Team Site Leader there. So much for trying something new. I then had to select 2 more people to leave. That was a little hard to do because everyone wants to stay in paradise. I chose two Ethiopians based on what made the most sense. They are not too happy with me. In addition, I was told to appoint a new Team Site Leader. This was an easy choice as we recently received two new Australian UNPOLS who were a godsend for me. I was then ordered to appoint a black African national no matter the qualifications. I feel like I should have stayed here now, but hopefully things will work out the right way in the end.

So Maridi it is. I head back to Juba this Friday for our contingents medal parade and then we head to Egypt for some time off . When I get back to Yambio, I pack my things and head to Maridi. It will be hard to leave Yambio for several reasons, but I am looking forward to the change. I will definitely miss my running partner Sam. Now it is time for a week of rest and relaxation.

Cheers,

Rory











(Photos from top to bottom: 1) Training Officers Hugo MONTALVO (El Salvador) and Sergey Russia, 2) Patrol Team lining up to in preparation for Long Range Patrol, 3) My motorcycle (Wayne and I bought it together. The only thing good about going to Maridi is that I will be able to have it transported there), 4) Southern India Onam Festival feast, 5) Virender JAIN (India) and I during transfer party, 6) My good friend Abhinesh PRASAD and I getting drunk at the party, 7) Just a big fucking moth.)