14 November 2013 - Strengthening efforts to tackle cattle raiding in Jonglei State, South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) officers today completed a training course in Malou, Bor County.

The 36 police officers who participated in the eight-week training course conducted by UN Police (UNPOL) officers will join the state’s livestock patrol unit.

Jonglei State Police Commissioner Maj. Gen. Moses Majok urged the fresh graduates to obey South Sudan’s laws in protecting civilian lives and properties.

“Last month, we lost 79 lives, 24 children and women (were) abducted, and 88 (people were) wounded through the cattle raids,” he said. “We are very happy to get these young trainees because we are going to deploy them ... where the enemies come.”

UNDP Project Management Analyst for the Community Security and Arms Control Programme Anil Raj explained that today’s graduation ceremony marked the end of the first part of a three-phase training series.

“Under the current phase that we have been operating, the U.S. government contributed about 1.5 million dollars,” said Mr. Raj, adding that the programme targeted 150 SSNPS officers.

U.S. Department of Justice official Daniel Miller urged participants to obey training procedures. He pledged further support from the U.S. government in setting up livestock patrol units across South Sudan.

The unit was formed after consultations in all counties highlighted the need to specifically address cattle raiding in dealing with conflict in Jonglei. The special force is a collaboration between the SSNPS, UNMISS, UN Development Programme (UNDP) and governments of Canada, Luxembourg and the United States.