3 September 2012 - The Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) had assisted Western Bahr El-Ghazal (WBEG) with education, medical care and mine clearing, an SPLA officer said today in Wau.

"In WBEG, the SPLA provide teachers for three schools (and) operate military hospitals that are open to the communities," SPLA Deputy Commander Charles Dut said during a seminar put on by three UNMISS Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) officers from Juba.

Attended by about 100 SPLA officers, the event was part of a series of like forums CIMIC is holding across the country to exchange ideas on forging positive ties with civilians.

"SPLA is taking the issue of military-civil relations very seriously, but the problem is lack of resources," Deputy Commander Dut said. "Once they are in place, the SPLA is going to engage fully in the repair of roads, bridges and similar assistance."

"As a new nation, most of the people rely on the army for their needs," said SPLA Commander Andrea Dominic.

Lieutenant Colonel Jorgen Clasen, head of UNMISS CIMIC, said the SPLA "is doing a lot for education, healthcare, security (and) roads construction, and support the civilian police in conducting some security operations."

He encouraged the SPLA to make the most of a vital resource they did have -- their manpower. "You have powerful resources. Fifty men with shovels can clear a piece of land, or garbage or do simple drainage work."