JUBA, 1 August 2019—Securing communities and professionalizing police in South Sudan was strengthened with the handover of “green energy” improvements and renovation at the Dr. John Garang Police Training Academy in Rajaf on Thursday, in a milestone for the South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS).

The ceremony was presided over by Minister of Interior Hon.  Lt. Gen. Michael Chiengjiek Geay, Director of the Police Training Institute Col. Zakaria, Embassy of Norway Head of Development Cooperation Mr. Lorents Børre Finanger, UN Police Commissioner Unaisi Lutu Vuniwaqa and UNDP Resident Representative Dr. Kamil Kamaluddeen.

“Training our cadets with the necessary skills to combat crimes collectively with communities means this academy needs to be a conducive environment to absorb lessons, give peace of mind and space to learn. I would like to register my thanks and appreciation to UNDP, the governments of Germany and Norway, and all partners who have stood with us to make this a better place,” said Minister of Interior Hon.  Lt. Gen. Michael Chiengjiek Geay at the ceremony.

The Dr. John Garang Police Training Academy, which has now graduated 1,460 (400 female) cadets, had operated since independence without power and minimal sanitation, presenting challenges and security risks for female cadets. In this regard, UNDP South Sudan, in cooperation with the UNDP Office of Information Management & Technology Green Energy Solutions, transformed the training academy using renewable solar power. In addition, UNDP renovated seven (7) dormitories for men cadets, four (4) dormitories for female cadets, five (5) dormitories for forensic officers, six (6) washrooms, seven (7) five-stance VIP latrines, three (3) dining halls and storage facilities, and water supply system.

“Our support is to enhance law and order as emphasized in the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan (2011), which envisions nothing short of the highest standards of professionalism is brought to the discharge of the policing function. The milestone we are witnessing today is the result of an active and constructive, broad-based partnership supported by the governments and people of Germany and Norway,” said UNDP Resident Representative Dr. Kamil Kamaluddeen.

“This is a special day which realizes more than ten years of Norway’s support to the Dr. John Garang Police Training Academy. We began in 2010, when our support helped bring 320 female cadets into training. Women are at the center of Norway’s development work. We know for a safe South Sudan it is most important to provide safety for women and children, and ensure the rule of law prevails,” said Embassy of Norway Head of Development Cooperation Mr. Lorents Børre Finanger, noting that the improvements made to the female dormitories facilitated the largest graduating class of female cadets, which help motivate even more women to join the SSNPS in the future.

The UN Police Commissioner Unaisi Lutu Vuniwaqa spoke to the support and technical assistance provided by UNPOL to the training academy. She expressed optimism that “these facilities will professionalize the SSNPS and this initiative is a step forward towards building durable peace in South Sudan”.