The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) Directorate of Border Police have facilitated the first consultation workshop to develop South Sudan’s Border Management and Border Security Strategy.
A press release by IOM states that the development of the border management and security strategy involves consultative sessions, field assessments, and validation workshops of the first draft which will inform the government’s actions on border management and border security.
This is the first of a series of consultative workshops aiming to identify the government’s needs and expectations on the development of the Strategy, to present the findings of a desktop literature review and assessment of other policies and legislation about border management related to South Sudan.
Peter Van Der Auweraert, IOM South Sudan’s Chief of Mission, said, "The general purpose of border management is to ensure the duly authorized, legitimate, safe, secure and efficient cross-border movement or transit of people, goods, conveyances, services, and capital. It is critical to take into consideration the current context and to foresee the benefits of well-managed borders for the welfare of South Sudanese and migrants."
The head of cooperation at the Germany Embassy Janika Walter said, "Border officials play a main role to facilitate migration, identify victims of trafficking, assist them and initiate investigations against the traffickers."
Janika emphasized that border management and border security strategy contribute to improved cross-border relations and facilitates cross-border collaboration to address transnational organized crimes, foster economic cooperation, peaceful and organized neighborhoods.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police Majak Akech Malok appreciated the support from IOM, the EU, and Germany and requested that the partners double their efforts in solidifying peace and service delivery to South Sudanese.
The workshop which took place on Tuesday was part of IOM’s overall support to the Government of South Sudan under the Better Migration Management programme funded by the European Union and Germany brought together relevant border management and border security officials of key government entities.