22 April 2013 – An intensive training course in the English language for members of the Upper Nile State Legislative Assembly began at the UNMISS compound on the outskirts of Malakal today.

The training was organized by the UNMISS Civil Affairs Division and the Integrated Mission Training Centre in response to a request made by the state legislature and represents part of the mission's ongoing activities to support capacity building within local institutions.

"This course is very important and it came at the right time," said Upper Nile State lawmaker Kosti Amoj Akurkuach. "Most of us come from Arabic speaking backgrounds, yet the Assembly's (business) is conducted in English which is South Sudan's official language."

Forty-five legislators will benefit from the training, which will be conducted thrice a week by lecturers from Upper Nile University's Department of English over a period of three months.

"I believe all my fellow participants will treat this training as a priority and be very serious about it," said another legislator, Nyaman Adiang Nyijok. "The majority of us do not understand the language so this training is like a life saver for us."

UNMISS State Coordinator Deborah Schein commended the lawmakers' decision to learn English and encouraged them to actively participate in the training.