The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) through the UN Police on Tuesday handed over a vehicle to the South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) in Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal State.
Brigadier Kon Mel Ayok, the Deputy State Police Commissioner in Wau speaking after the handover thanked the peacekeeping mission and stated that the vehicle will enhance policing in general and extend patrols to areas where internally displaced persons and returnees live.
UNMISS quotes Doreen Lisa, a 52-year-old farmer living near Wau as saying, "Police patrols in my village have been insufficient, so I'm happy to see that they have received an additional vehicle. The general security situation in our area has improved a bit, but I still wish the police will start becoming more visible here as it would make us feel safer.”
James Nugar, also a resident of Wau town said, “Though Wau is relatively calm there are still incidents of rape in some suburbs. I hope the new car will enable increased police presence and rapid response when something happens.”
UNMISS said the initiative is in line with its mandate to protect civilians and contribute to an increased institutional capacity of the police service.