17 August 2012 – UNMISS and the national Ministry of Interior signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in the capital Juba today on the transformation of the South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS).

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for South Sudan Hilde F. Johnson and Minister of Interior Alison Manani Magaya inked the MOU during a graduation ceremony for 70 brigadier-level officers who took part in a three-week-long senior leadership seminar course.

"The MOU is signed to commit our support," said Ms. Johnson. "UNMISS is supporting in registration of police and strengthening their quality to be a good police."

Under the agreement, United Nations Police (UNPOL) advisers will train middle-level officers in the areas of traffic management, border policing, immigration and auxiliary force.

The programme is designed to strengthen the capacity and enhance the performance of senior SSNPS officers and was designed in collaboration with the government.

"We are working together for the betterment of police service. The training programme is a part of (our) continuous support," said the SRSG.

SSNPS Brigadier Kuot Deng Yak said his skills in international law, police ethics and national norms had been upgraded as a result of the course. "Now we are ready to perform the service to the people with effectiveness and efficiency," he said.

Minister Magaya thanked UNMISS and other partner organizations and appealed for further support. "We need UNPOL to make drastic changes in SSNPS in terms of administration and manpower," he said.

As part of the Ministry's 2011-2015 action plan, Minister Magaya said the government is planning to establish two new police units, one for protecting oil installations and another for protecting civilians living in states along disputed portions of the international border with Sudan.

UNPOL is planning a similar training programme for 400 major generals of the SSNPS in the near future.