25 June 2013 - Security is a priority for the South Sudanese government because it is a prerequisite for meaningful development, the Eastern Equatoria Deputy Governor Jerome Gama Surur said in state capital Torit yesterday.

Speaking at the opening of a two-day training workshop on security sector reform organized by UNMISS, Mr. Surur said the state government is committed to making sure that there is peace and security for all.

"We have identified the need together and we have joined hands to make it [security sector reform] a success," he said.

Eirin Mobekk, head of the UNMISS Security Sector Reform unit, said the training was a vital step in efforts to harmonize development within the security sector.

"It is important that focus is directed to a holistic and coordinated approach to security sector reform," she said.

Some 30 participants, including county commissioners, members of the state legislative assembly's security committee and the state security committee, attended the two-day workshop.