Authorities in Western Bahr el Ghazal State are intensifying preparations for South Sudan’s December 2026 general elections, with 1,585 police personnel undergoing training in Wau to strengthen security ahead of the polls.
The training brings together male and female police personnel from Wau, Raja and Jur River counties, as the National Police Service works to ensure officers are prepared to maintain public order, protect communities and support a peaceful electoral process.
The large-scale training programme comes as security agencies across the country prepare for the responsibilities that will accompany the elections, including securing polling centres, protecting electoral officials, managing traffic and ensuring that voters can exercise their rights without fear or intimidation.
Speaking during the training in Wau, Assistant Inspector General of Police Lt. Gen. Edward Dimitry Lukak said the police had a responsibility to provide a safe environment for citizens throughout the electoral period.
“The police have a clear responsibility to maintain peace and order and to protect our communities throughout the electoral period,” Lukak said. “This training is strengthening the capacity of our officers to carry out their duties professionally, impartially and in accordance with the law.”
He said the police would work closely with communities and other stakeholders to help maintain peace and create conditions in which citizens could participate freely in the elections.
For Western Bahr el Ghazal authorities, the training is also an opportunity to strengthen the professionalism of the police force. Maj. Gen. Hussein Girish Yambio, Director of Traffic Police in the state, welcomed support from the national government and said training was essential to preparing officers for their duties.
“Training is fundamental to building a disciplined and professional police service,” Yambio said.
He urged the officers to remember that their responsibility is to serve all citizens without discrimination, particularly during a period when public confidence in security institutions will be critical.
“As we prepare for the elections, our officers must understand that their duty is to serve and protect every citizen,” he said. “We are committed to ensuring that security and traffic management contribute to a peaceful and orderly electoral process in Wau and across the state.”
The 1,585 trainees come from different educational backgrounds, ranging from primary and secondary education to university level. Officials say the diversity reflects broader efforts to build a more capable and professional national police service.
The training is being conducted as part of a wider initiative by the Ministry of Interior and the National Police Service to improve the operational readiness of police personnel ahead of the elections.
Minister of Interior Gen. Aleu Ayieny Aleu has also called on the recruits to uphold professionalism, impartiality, patriotism and respect for the rule of law.
“You are being trained to serve the people, not political parties or individuals,” Aleu told the recruits.
He said police conduct would play an important role in determining whether citizens feel safe and confident enough to participate in the electoral process.
“During the elections, the police must protect every citizen equally and ensure that people can exercise their democratic rights without fear, intimidation or interference,” the minister said.
The training in Wau is being overseen by Lt. Gen. Edward Dimitry Lukak, Maj. Gen. Mareng Mareng Nhail, Western Bahr el Ghazal State Deputy Commissioner of Police, Maj. Gen. Hussein Girish Yambio and Director of Training Col. Martin Chol Mabior Lual.
Authorities are urging residents across Western Bahr el Ghazal to promote peace, unity and tolerance as the country moves closer to the December polls.
For officials, the deployment of a trained and professional police force will be central to maintaining stability and ensuring that citizens can participate in South Sudan’s electoral process freely and peacefully.
With 1,585 police personnel being prepared for election-related duties in Wau, authorities hope the training will strengthen security not only on polling day but throughout the period before, during and after the elections.