Police officials during training/Bor, Jonglei State/UN Photo.      

By Awuou Michael chol

United Nations Police serving under the United Nations’ Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in Jonglei State trained 30 officers from the South Sudan National Police Service on electoral security. The trained according to the UNPol focused strongly on protecting women voters and candidates ahead of the country’s planned December elections.

The Assistant Coordinator for the South Sudan National Police Service in Jonglei, John Akuoch, predicted that the historic general elections will be challenging, thus demanding professionalism in law enforcement. For him, inclusivity is the cornerstone of a successful electoral process.

“I am looking forward to a voting process where women are not left behind, though I understand that elections will be a complex undertaking,” The Assistant Coordinator said

He narrated that indeed the SSNPS needs support and training so that officers are fully equipped to create a safe environment for women voters.

For a remedy to the vision, the UN’s Police (UNPOL), serving with the Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Field Office in Jonglei, conducted a training session for 30 local police officers. The focus was on electoral security and practical measures to protect women voters and candidates.

UNPOL Commander leading the initiative, Marven Musonda, emphasized the pivotal role of law enforcement in ensuring peaceful elections.

“A security environment that enables women to fully participate in decision-making processes, including casting their vote at the ballot boxes, is the key to peaceful and inclusive polls anywhere in the world.” He explained.

The training included discussions on the critical role of women in peace and security, as well as practical strategies for police to prevent potential violence against women during the elections.

Nevertheless, Achol Dut Deng, a veteran Police officer in the South Sudan National Police, said women’s participation is non-negotiable.

“South Sudan’s first elections represent a powerful opportunity for women to take on leadership positions,” she said.

Deng suggested measures such as increasing grassroots civic education, moving polling stations closer to communities, and addressing cyclical conflicts that threaten women’s safety.

As the training concluded, participants agreed that lasting peace is essential for all citizens—including women—to freely express their hopes for a peaceful, prosperous South Sudan in the upcoming elections.