U.S. Embassy donates equipment to SPLA-IO Rajaf Police Contingent
For Immediate Release June 3, 2016
U.S. Embassy donates equipment to SPLA-IO Rajaf Police Contingent
June 3, 2016 (SSB) — As part of its commitment to support the Transitional Security Arrangements of the August 2015 Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict (ARC) in South Sudan, the U.S. Embassy yesterday donated approximately $100,000 worth of items to the SPLA-IO Police Contingent.
The equipment includes tents for 100 people, sleeping bags and mats, survival kits, hygiene kits, personal water packs, chairs, water storage vessels, kitchen cook sets, basic construction supplies and sports equipment. The equipment was provided by the U.S. Embassy’s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) office, which works to strengthen the rule of law and improve capacity of South Sudanese law enforcement agencies.
The ARC calls for the establishment of a Joint Integrated Police (JIP) to provide security in Juba, Bentiu, Bor, and Malakal. The 5,400-person JIP will be composed evenly of government and IO officers. They will receive joint training and be deployed together to provide civilian security in the four cities. The first group of the IO’s 2,700 JIP officers began arriving in Juba in March. They have been staying in Rajaf, next to the SSNPS Police Academy. International donors have made substantial contributions to build up the site, but more needs to be done to accommodate the full 2,700 IO police.
SPLA-IO Deputy Commander of Joint Integrated Police, Maj. Gen. Dr. Bern Puot Yuot, thanked and expressed gratitude to the U. S. Embassy for the donation. “The IO police team in Rajaf is in need of material assistance to enable them to adjust to life in their new situation,” said Maj. Gen. Dr. Bern. “These donated items will help improve conditions for the officers as we develop plans for training and deployment of the Joint Integrated Police that is mandated to provide security in Juba.”
In delivering the equipment, U.S. Embassy INL Director Stetson Sanders said, “This donation is part of the Embassy’s continuing commitment to assist and support the establishment of the Joint Integrated Police, which is an essential element of the August 2015 peace agreement. We are very encouraged by the formation of the JIP’s Joint Management Team (JMT) and will work closely with the JMT and other international donors to ensure that the JIP can meet its mandate.”
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