UNMISS Police Commissioner visits Bentiu, calls for the promotion of accountability and rule of law

During her two-day field visit to Bentiu, Christine Fossen, Police Commissioner of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, appealed to the people and the government of the country to promote accountability and rule of law.

While in Bentiu to assess the work of her UN police officers based in the Unity State capital, she also met with the state’s Acting Police Commissioner, Major General Gordon Machar Yiek, and community leaders to discuss the challenges faced by the security sector in the area.

“Rule of law and accountability is the only way a democratic society can move forward. You need your police, prosecutors, judges and courts to fight corruption to achieve this,” the visiting Police Commissioner said, adding that she is pleased to see the close cooperation between UN and South Sudanese police officers in Unity State as this teamwork should lead to better protection for the people.

On his part, Major General Gordon Machar praised the capacity building on crime investigation and community policing provided by the peacekeeping mission’s police officers. He also pointed out another area of expertise where the national police service needs training.

“I would like your police officers to train our personnel on public order management, because such skills may become needed when the country will hold elections,” he said.

Expressing doubts about the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement, Thayak Wicyoak, Chairperson of the people staying at the camp for internally displaced persons in Bentiu, appealed to the UN police officers on the ground to continue to keep an eye on the security of the camp.

“We honestly don’t see much progress in the peace process. The security arrangements agreed on are not being implemented by the parties, which creates uncertainty among everyone who has been displaced by previous violence,” he said.