More than 100 new prison officers graduate in Warrap

June 24, 2014 (Warrap) – More than 100 prison officers graduated in Warrap state capital Kuacjok on Tuesday in a ceremony attended by state senior government and prison officials.

Paul Dhel Gum, the minister of information and telecommunication in Warrap state, said that the graduation is part of efforts to improve the overall security situation for South Sudanese people and provide protection to those farming during the rainy session.

The new graduates will work alongside police forces to maintain law and order.

South Sudan has witnessed ongoing unrest since an armed rebellion broke out in the country in mid-December last year.

The event was the first official graduation ceremony to be held in Warrap since the start of the conflict.

The group of 103 non-commissioned officers included 53 women and 50 men.

“Human resource development is also key in transforming law reinforcement agencies and builds their skills to cope with new challenges facing the country,” said Gum.

Warrap state’s acting governor, Akec Tong Aleu, assured graduating officers of his continued support in promoting the rule of law and imposing justice as required according to the country’s constitution.

“I promise my full support will go to you, the prison service”, in providing protection across the state’s six counties, said Aleu

Warrap state is currently hosting about 6,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) who were forced to flee their homes in Unity state.

They are being hosted in Manangui and are receiving assistance from humanitarian organisations.

(ST)