African people dance beside the bridge repaired by Vietnamese engineers.

The bridge is not only a simple traffic structure but also a symbol of connection, hope and efforts to build peace in a land that is still divided.

Banton Bridge is a strategic traffic artery, directly affecting security, economy and people's lives in Abyei. The bridge's serious deterioration over a long period of time has made it difficult for the UNISFA mission to patrol, cut off people's movement and hindered humanitarian relief efforts.

Handover ceremony of Banton Bridge after repair and upgrade. Photo: Engineering Team No. 4

The Vietnam Engineering Team No. 4 was assigned the task of repairing the Banton Bridge, which was not only a problem of engineering and materials, but also required courage, intelligence and empathy.

Overcoming difficulties in materials, weather and construction conditions, with technical skills, creativity and determination, Engineering Team No. 4 miraculously "revived" the bridge.

On the day of the bridge handover, local people danced with joy, a moment symbolizing the bond between the army and the people.

Colonel Alexander De Lima, Chief of Military Staff of the mission, noted that the repair of the Banton Bridge was "completed in just one week". He called it a commendable demonstration of the work being done quickly, efficiently and directly linking infrastructure to security.

Engineer Team 4 repairs Banton Bridge. Photo: Engineer Team 4

Mr. Kuol Deng Rau, Acting Chief of Abyei Regional Administration, called it the result of "international partnership" where "challenges have been turned into successes." Meanwhile, Alal District Chief, Mr. Nyang Doldol Nyang, considered the bridge a testament to the United Nations' concern and Vietnam's affection for Abyei.

In particular, Minister of Infrastructure and Public Services Kon Maneit Matiok praised the "performance, discipline and admirable working spirit" of the Vietnamese blue beret soldiers.

At the handover ceremony, representative of Engineering Team No. 4, Lieutenant Colonel Trinh Van Cuong emphasized that Vietnamese soldiers not only help protect peace but also join hands to build peace - "little by little, brick by brick".

"Through this bridge, we are proud to contribute sustainably to that noble mission," he stated.

Photo: Engineering Team No. 4

People happily danced next to the sturdy bridge that had just been repaired. Photo: Engineering Team No. 4

In addition, the 4th Engineer Team also presented humanitarian gifts such as food and provisions to people living in the Banton bridge area.

These activities are highlights of the role of engineering soldiers in the peacekeeping mission, demonstrating the dual role of "Uncle Ho's Soldiers" as both good engineers and "messengers" of peace.

The 4th Engineering Team consists of 184 officers and employees mobilized from the Air Defense - Air Force, the Navy, Military Regions 1, 2, 3, 4; Corps 12; the Engineering, Special Forces, and Communications Services; the Vietnam Peacekeeping Department and a number of agencies and units. The team departed for Abyei on September 26, carrying out the mission of replacing the 3rd Engineering Team.

Abyei is a disputed area between Sudan and South Sudan. In 2011, the two countries signed an agreement pledging to withdraw troops from the demilitarized zone in Abyei and set up a joint mechanism to resolve the issue. However, so far there has been little substantive progress.

UNISFA was established in 2011 under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1990 with a mandate to protect civilians and promote demilitarization in Abyei.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/nguoi-dan-chau-phi-nhay-mua-ben-cay-cau-do-chien-si-cong-binh-viet-nam-sua-chua-2456986.html