Thirty officers from the South Sudan National Police Service have completed a specialized training on electoral security and the protection of women voters and candidates in Jonglei State.
The training was conducted by the United Nations Police (UNPOL) under the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Field Office in Bor. The initiative aimed to strengthen the capacity of national police officers ahead of the country’s upcoming elections scheduled for December.
Officials emphasized that ensuring a safe and secure environment for women is essential to achieving credible, peaceful, and inclusive elections.
The session focused on the role of women in peace and security processes, the responsibility of police in safeguarding electoral activities, and practical strategies to prevent and respond to potential violence against women during the voting period.
UNPOL Commander Marven Musonda noted that peaceful elections depend on a secure environment that enables women to fully participate in decision-making processes, including voting.
“A secure environment that enables women to participate fully in decision-making, including voting at ballot boxes, is key to peaceful and inclusive elections anywhere in the world. Law enforcement agencies are central to establishing such conditions,” he said.
Speaking during the training, Assistant Coordinator of the South Sudan National Police Service in Jonglei, John Akuoch, stressed the importance of inclusivity in the electoral process.
“I am looking forward to a voting process where women are not left behind, although elections will be a complex undertaking. We need continued support and training so that, as police officers, we are fully equipped to create a safe environment for women voters,” he said.
Veteran police officer Achol Dut Deng described the upcoming elections as a historic opportunity for women to assume leadership roles and promote peace and development in South Sudan.
Participants also recommended expanding grassroots civic education, relocating voting centers closer to communities, and addressing recurring conflicts that continue to affect women’s safety.
The training marks another step in strengthening collaboration between UNPOL and the national police in promoting safe, inclusive, and credible elections across the country.