BENTIU, South Sudan: Just months ago, planning ahead in civil war-torn South Sudan seemed impossible. Now, after a peace deal in September that the government vows will hold, some are rebuilding their lives.
Saturday marks the fifth anniversary of the beginning of the civil war that has killed nearly 400,000 people.
Armed opposition leader Riek Machar is sounding a note of hope: “This year I can announce to the people of South Sudan that peace is not just on the horizon, but it is here.”
Amid the small signs: A Christmas party in a United Nations camp for tens of thousands of displaced people will occur at midnight instead of during safer daylight hours.
But fears, and fighting, remain. “The peace is here but the peace is still not well,” a child says.
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South Sudan starts planning for life beyond war, cautiously
South Sudan starts planning for life beyond war, cautiously
- Saturday marks the fifth anniversary of the beginning of the civil war that has killed nearly 400,000 people
- After a peace deal in September that the government vows will hold, some are rebuilding their lives
France’s Macron laughs off ‘harmless’ eye condition as he addresses troops
French President Emmanuel Macron joked about a “completely harmless” eye condition on Thursday during a New Year address to France’s armed forces.
“Please pardon the unsightly appearance of my eye,” Macron said at the beginning of his speech. “It is, of course, something completely harmless.”
Macron appeared with a puffy, red eye during his speech at the military base in Istres, in southern France. He earlier wore sunglasses during an outdoor troop inspection.
“Simply see an unintentional reference to the ‘Eye of the Tiger’ ... For those who catch the reference, it is a sign of determination,” he joked, in an apparent reference to the name of the hit theme song by American rock band Survivor from the 1982 Rocky III movie starring Sylvester Stallone.
Macron’s speech addressed key challenges for the military in 2026, from France’s accelerated rearmament and continued support for Ukraine, to the decision to send troops to Greenland in a show of support for Denmark.
“Please pardon the unsightly appearance of my eye,” Macron said at the beginning of his speech. “It is, of course, something completely harmless.”
Macron appeared with a puffy, red eye during his speech at the military base in Istres, in southern France. He earlier wore sunglasses during an outdoor troop inspection.
“Simply see an unintentional reference to the ‘Eye of the Tiger’ ... For those who catch the reference, it is a sign of determination,” he joked, in an apparent reference to the name of the hit theme song by American rock band Survivor from the 1982 Rocky III movie starring Sylvester Stallone.
Macron’s speech addressed key challenges for the military in 2026, from France’s accelerated rearmament and continued support for Ukraine, to the decision to send troops to Greenland in a show of support for Denmark.
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