39 prison officers from Southern Sudan graduate in Kenya

October 8, 2007 (NAIROBI) — 39 prison officers from southern Sudan finished their training on Monday in Kenya as part of the efforts to build-up a viable administration in southern Sudan after the signing of a peace agreement ending the 21-year civil war between the north and the south.

Kenyan Vice-President, Moody Awori, on Monday presided over the first pass out parade of 39 prisons officers from Southern Sudan who underwent their training in Kenya, The Kenyan radio reported today.

The colourful exercise at the Prisons Staff Training College, Ruiru, was in fulfillment of a part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Kenyan government and the government of semi-autonomous government of Southern Sudan in June this year.

Under the MOU, which was facilitated by the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), Kenya is expected to assist in training and building the necessary manpower for the reconstruction of Southern Sudan.

Assuring Southern Sudan of Kenya’s continued support in the reconstruction efforts, Mr. Awori said the government considers trained manpower as one way of laying a firm foundation for the exercise.

The Vice President expressed optimism that the graduands will spearhead the re-establishment of a modern prisons service at home, noting that they had received training in the relevant areas such as in handling of weapons, law, prisons management, ICT and social relations, among others.

“These officers will play a significant role in re-establishing the Prisons System in Southern Sudan in terms of setting up management structures at regional and station levels”, Mr. Awori noted.

He commended the Kenya Prison Service for mounting the training successfully, adding that the service was playing a leading role in promoting modern correctional practices within the region and internationally.

A number of officers from Kenya Prisons service serving in different post conflict environments which include: Southern Sudan, Liberia, DRC Congo and Kosovo, Awori pointed out

He also thanked international community, particularly the UNMIS and UNDP for facilitating the training of southern Sudan officers.

The Director General of Prisons Service of Southern Sudan, Major General Agasio Akol Tong thanked the government of Kenya for financing the training g of the officers who will fill a gap caused by the drafting of prison staff into the military during the Sudanese civil war.

He said the government of Southern Sudan was committed to creating a professional, ethical and responsive prisons service that upholds public safety and security through modern practices.

The General appealed to the countries in the region and the international community to support the reform process, which he noted was in its early stages.

(ST)