Although security is the primary responsibility of the transitional Government of South Sudan, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has stepped in to help build the government’s capacity to protect civilians, particularly in high-risk regions like Duk County.
Recently, UNMISS’ Protection, Transition, and Reintegration (PTR) Section organized a training workshop for 30 local authority figures and security service members. The training emphasized the protection of civilians and the establishment of safe, structured systems to ensure humanitarian access to communities in need.
“This training is a foundation for lasting change,” said Precious Makwinja, UNMISS PTR Officer. “Participants must use this knowledge to build effective and inclusive policing systems that safeguard children, integrate displaced persons and returnees, and promote peaceful coexistence.”
UNMISS continues to support the South Sudanese government by deploying protective patrols via air, land, and river, as well as offering capacity-building programs aimed at enhancing community resilience and local leadership in crisis response.
Community involvement is equally vital. Local residents are urged to monitor and report threats, enabling authorities to respond more swiftly and prevent conflict escalation. Empowering locals with tools and knowledge is key to building sustainable security from the ground up.
Duk County Commissioner, John Chatiem, praised the training’s impact. “It was transformative. It changed how participants view peace and security. They now recognize their responsibilities and are committed to applying what they’ve learned to protect their communities,” he said. The Commissioner emphasized that community engagement and collaboration with security services are critical to long-term peace in the area.
