KUAJOK - As South Sudan edges closer to its first democratic elections, a quiet but significant shift is taking place within the country’s security sector. In Kuajok, the headquarters of Warrap State, more than 25 participants from the South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS), civil society organizations, and the State High Elections Committee came together to discuss their roles in one of the most significant events to be experienced in this young country. 

“We’re not just here to secure ballot boxes,” said Lieutenant Colonel Andrea Santino Cuat of the National Police Service. “We’re here to protect people, to make sure no one is left behind—especially women and those with disabilities.” 

The four-day Training of Trainers workshop, organized by the United Nations Police serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), focused on a theme rarely addressed in conventional security planning: the role of police in protecting elections, with a particular emphasis on preventing violence against women in the electoral process. 

The discussions were frank and, at times, sobering. Participants spoke openly about the social and cultural barriers women face.  

“Most women in my village don’t know why they should vote,” acknowledged one civil society representative, Akech Deng. “Their husbands tell them not to and, of those who try to speak up, some are harassed or even attacked.” 

Another participant, Awut Mayen Lueth, shared that even asking questions about elections could provoke suspicion.  

“If a woman is seen discussing politics, some people think she’s looking for trouble. The fear this causes silences many.” 

Stories like this highlight a critical challenge: without protection and awareness, half the population could be excluded from a process that is meant to reflect all views.

“Women are the ones most affected during elections, yet often the least protected,” Akech Deng reflected. “It’s not just about access to the polls. It’s about safety, dignity, and freedom.” 

For Lieutenant Colonel Cuat, the training provided more than theoretical approaches: “We now understand not only how to secure polling stations, but how to protect vulnerable voters,” he said. “The real task begins now: taking these lessons back to our teams, to our communities, and making sure they are ready.” 

Participants were introduced to international frameworks for gender equality, case studies on electoral violence, and the legal obligations of police officers under both domestic and international law.

But perhaps the most transformative part of the workshop was the focus on mindset—shifting the perception of elections as a risk to manage to a process that demands protection, accountability, and inclusion while carrying the promise of peace. 

Brig. Gen. Awou Nyariel, Director of the Criminal Investigation Division, offered practical insights: “When there is a protest, don’t rush in. Know who is leading. Engage. Control the situation, don’t escalate it,” he said. “We are serving the communities. If the people trust us, the process can go well.” 

Maj. Gen. Manyok Jurkuc Deng, the Police Commissioner of Warrap State, echoed this sentiment. He reminded officers of their representative functions in public spaces, where citizens, civil society and media are constant observants.

“If we misbehave, it reflects on the whole institution,” he said. “We must be examples of discipline and integrity.” 

As the final day wrapped up, what lasted were not just agenda points or handouts, but the sense that this group, diverse in background but united in purpose, would carry something important forward.

“This election belongs to all of us,” said Lt. Col. Cuat. “And that means protecting all of us, too.”