New recruits during training in Kuajok (Photo by courtesy)
KUAJOK – Authorities in Tonj South County of South Sudan’s Warrap State have recruited 500 young people into the police service as part of efforts to strengthen security and address rising insecurity in the area.
Tonj South County Commissioner, Gordon Makuer Tiau, told this outlet on Friday that the recruitment exercise was conducted following a directive from the governor’s office aimed at strengthening security in the area.
“We are recruiting the young men who have been in the cattle and others in the town without jobs,” Makuer said.
Makuer said the recruitment was aimed at bringing fresh and younger personnel into the police service to help strengthen law enforcement and contain rising crime in the county.
“It is our hope that they will be of great help to our communities in containing the problems once they unfold,” he said.
He said the recruitment aims to increase police presence and improve community policing by involving young people in efforts to prevent crime and promote stability.
“Our hope is premised on achieving development as peace and development go together. Without tranquility, nothing can occur.”
He urged the recruits to uphold the law, respect human rights, and work closely with communities to restore trust between security forces and civilians.
Community leaders welcomed the initiative, saying increased security personnel would help address local conflicts and create a safer environment for residents.
The move comes amid concerns over insecurity in parts of Tonj South, where incidents of communal violence, cattle-related conflicts, and criminal activities have affected residents.
The recruitment drive was announced in July by Warrap State Deputy Governor Aluel Garang in Kuajok, with similar initiatives later replicated in other counties.
The move comes as Warrap State intensifies efforts to address rising insecurity, including measures such as the declaration of a state of emergency aimed at curbing violence and restoring stability.
