Police Officers Attend Training on Documenting Violations Against Children in South Sudan

Juba – Al-Wadi Newspaper

Senior police officers from various states across South Sudan have completed a three-day training course focused on building their capacity to monitor and document grave violations committed against children.

The training was organized by the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration Commission (DDRC), with support from the Child Protection Unit of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). It aimed to raise awareness of child rights, strengthen understanding of the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM), and empower officers to play a more effective role in child protection.

The workshop brought together 12 state police commissioners, along with heads of special protection units from eight states. Participants received specialized training on how to prevent the six grave violations against children and are expected to pass this knowledge on to their subordinates in the field.

In his opening remarks, Maj. Gen. James Mande Enoch, spokesperson for the South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS), emphasized the significance of the workshop, stating:
“Today marks a strategic step for the police force. This training enhances the capacity of senior officers in matters of child rights and election security.”

Maj. Gen. Mande added that the workshop offers an important opportunity to equip officers with the necessary knowledge to monitor and document violations against children’s rights, stressing that protecting children, women, and other vulnerable groups is a top priority for the police.

Oluku Andrew Holt, the National Coordinator for the Release and Reintegration of Children Associated with Armed Forces and Groups at the DDRC, explained that the training aims to help police officers understand their roles and responsibilities within the national action plan for child protection.

“You are here today because of your vital role in implementing the action plan related to children’s safety. This training will help you understand how to carry out this role effectively as part of broader efforts to protect children from conflict and abuse,” Holt said.

This initiative is part of the implementation of the Comprehensive Action Plan to protect children, which seeks to end grave violations through collaboration between the national police and UNMISS.