UNMISS trains armed forces in child protection in Aweil

SSPDF officers at a past training conducted by UNMISS. (Credit: UNMISS)

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) concluded a three-day workshop in the Northern Bahr el Ghazal State capital, Aweil, last week to equip 50 officers drawn from the organized forces with skills in child protection, how to fight sexual exploitation and other crimes.

The training was attended by officers from the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), National Security Service (NSS), Police, Prison Service and Wildlife Service.

At the end of the training, it was resolved that the armed forces should never occupy schools, hospitals, and other facilities for their use, not block humanitarian services, and should continue to acquire civic education and awareness.

UNMISS’ Child Protection Team Leader in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, Elizabeth Kanjela, appreciated the security officers for their acceptance to attend the event and said the workshop achieved its objectives and outcomes.

“I want to appreciate all the participants who came today and I want to clarify that this workshop is targeting senior security officers from various institutions such as   South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), Police, Prisons Service, Wildlife Conservation and National Security Service (NSS),” she said. “The activity was successfully implemented because the participants have understood the sessions and all procedures in child protection.”

The army’s focal point of the Directorate of Moral Orientation and Child Protection in the state, Lt. Colonel Alberto Buola, said the workshop was very educative and should be rolled out to armed forces across the country.

“The workshop focused on six grave violations against children and we want to inform all military officers in South Sudan about them,” he said. “It was very excellent because it gave full information to everybody so that we are aware of the danger of practicing the violations.”

For his part, Wildlife Service officer Lt. Joseph Wol Ajiing who is in charge of the Public Relations and Community Awareness Unit, said they will ensure that the messages about child protection are disseminated widely.

“We have learned a lot and we would like to continue disseminating the information so that our junior officers and soldiers at operation zones understand the rights of children and what child protection means,” he said. “As officers, we are going to teach other personnel in our units to know the rights of every child, refrain from sexual abuse and exploitation, and desist from torturing civilians, including children. I am very grateful to UNMISS for inviting us to attend the workshop.”