Kiir urges South Sudan police to pay extra attention to the referendum

By Ngor Arol Garang

December 16, 2010 (ABYEI) – General Salva Kiir Mayardit, president of the regional government of south Sudan has urged police to pay extra attention to protection and prevention of crimes as well as successful the conduct of the south’s upcoming self-determination referendum.

Addressing the graduation ceremony of 5,570 recruits of the South Sudan Police Service on Tuesday 14, after intensive training at Dr. John Garang De Mabior unified Police Training Centre at Rejaf West, Kiir cautioned the police to be extra vigilant in maintaining security for civilians and for the referendum.

The president whose speech was broadcasted on South Sudan Radio and Television, on Wednesday night reminded police forces of their obligation to detect and prevent crime and not to be a part of any gangster groups operating outside the law and directed them to get rid of gangs practicing immoral practices anywhere in South Sudan.

“Your graduation today after undergoing such intensive training is very important because it was meant to equip you with knowledge which will help you in areas where you would be deployed,” said president Kiir.

The president of the semi-autonomous region of south Sudan told the graduates that there are three important things for which they were trained and one of these important things was referendum.

“You all know the importance of your training. The importance of having police trained is for security and stability of the region. You were trained to become public servants in order protect lives and properties of the citizens and to prevent crimes but one important of these is the upcoming referendum,” said Kiir.

He accused unnamed individuals of wanting to derail peace and so wants to sabotage conduct of referendum.

“There are people who are not happy with the conduct of the referendum. These people exist and are trying their best to derail peace by sabotaging conduct of the referendum.”

“They will try to create chaos in order to scare people from coming out for vote during the voting day, as they have tried during the recently concluded voter registration process. Such behavior is not acceptable and will not be tolerated and will be your responsibility to provide adequate security so that people vote,” he explained.

Kiir, who is also the leader of the southern ruling party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, issued strong warning against taking bribes, saying it tarnishes any good image, and promised to mete out heavy penalties on those who engage in the practice.

He said the region is at a critical stage in its history and spoke out against activities of those who sold and bought voter registration cards in a bid to derail the referendum process. Registration for the south’s plebiscite ended on December 8. Voting is due to begin on January 9, 2011.

“Anybody caught in the act must be arrested and dealt with according to the law,” Kiir told the gathering while commending leadership of the South Sudan Police Service.

He announced the promotion of the Commissioner of the South Sudan Police Service, Lt General Acuil Tito Madut to the rank of General, the Director-General of the Southern Sudan Prison Service, Lt General Abel Makoi to the rank of General and of the Director-General of the Southern Sudan Fire Brigade Service, Lt General Aro Man Mayen also to the rank of General.

Also on Tuesday, Kiir laid the foundation stone for Dr John Garang de Mabior Unified Police Training Centre at Rejaf West, which coincided with the graduation of the first batch of police recruits drawn from university graduates and secondary school leavers. The President also inaugurated a health centre and a mess of the South Sudan Police Service at the Training Centre at Rejaf.

Addressing the same ceremony, General Gier Chuang Aluong, Minister of Internal Affairs in the Government of South Sudan, urged all security organs in the region to maintain security and stability in order to protect lives and property. He told police forces to fight in self defense if necessary but not to exceed their power.

“In the interim constitution of south Sudan, police on duty have the right to fight in self defense but should not the exceed limits of the law,” Gier told the audience on Tuesday evening.

The minister underlined the important role of the police in realizing socio-political development and called on the general public to cooperate with the police in order to stop crime. He emphasized the importance of respecting law and order for a successful and stable society.

Gier, accentuated the need for unity among South Sudanese at what he described as crucial stage as the region approaches the secession referendum. He asked the international community to continue upholding support to the South Sudan Police Service in order develop into a professional force in readiness for the referendum and beyond.

General Acuil Tito, Inspector General of South Sudan Police Service, elaborated on the achievements of the service in the last five years, and the ability of the graduating batch to secure the referendum exercise.

He complimented members of the Service for successfully securing the conduct of the elections in April 2010.

(ST)