23 July 2014 – Rumours that UN Police (UNPOL) had fallen out with South Sudanese police were untrue, UNPOL Commissioner Fred Yiga said in Juba today.

Speaking at the end of a three-day UNPOL State Advisor’s workshop, Mr. Yiga called on his force to work with local police on good policing methods and ensure human rights were observed.

He said the new UNMISS mandate had instead brought UNPOL and the South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) closer together “because it is addressing many fundamental issues like human rights and protection of civilians”.

“The public in South Sudan is demanding for their rights to be respected,” Mr. Yiga said. “So we are going to … make sure that we defend the public in terms of getting the respect that they need from the police.”

The retreat aimed to raise awareness of the new mandate and the mission’s strategic priorities, specifically those of UNPOL, and agree on action points.

Also addressing the gathering, SSNPS Inspector General Gen. Pieng Deng Koul advised UNPOL to maintain already existing cordial relations with SSNPS State Commissioners.

“If the current mandate goes up to November, as am told, then we are likely to go back to our usual business of capacity building thereafter,” he said. “So I urge you to maintain the good relations with our commissioners.”

General Pieng said he hoped the United Nations would take advantage of the current situation to equip SSNPS, as it was the only security wing mandated to provide law and order in the country.

UNPOL is now expected to ensure local police in the states are prepared to advise citizens against violence and police to work with the public in protecting people who return from UNMISS protection sites.

It should also work to ensure constant safety, rule of law and good policing in the country.

Previously, UNPOL’s main task focused on capacity building of the SSNPS.