South Sudan prosecutors, police officers trained on electoral offenses in Wau

WAU – Prosecutors and police investigators from South Sudan’s Western Bahr el Ghazal, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Warrap, and Lakes states have undergone training on addressing electoral offenses, in a workshop held in Wau.

The two-day training, conducted from November 20-21, brought together 50 participants to enhance their understanding of the electoral framework and prepare them to deter electoral violence that could undermine the integrity of upcoming elections.

The workshop was organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs (MoJCA) in collaboration with the National Police Service (NPS) and supported by the United Nations Integrated Electoral Assistance Team (IEAT).

Held under the theme “Electoral Legal Framework,” the workshop aimed to strengthen institutional capacity and provide guidance on how to handle potential violations of election rules.

Dr. Gabriel Isaac Awow, Undersecretary of MoJCA, emphasized the importance of the training in bolstering public confidence in the electoral process.

“This workshop provides prosecutors and police investigators with the necessary expertise to detect, prevent, and respond to electoral offenses, which is crucial to maintaining public confidence in the electoral process. Strengthening these skills is an urgent priority as we approach future elections,” Awow said in a statement issued on Monday.

He highlighted the role of a robust justice system in preventing electoral disputes from escalating into violence.

“Prosecutors and police investigators, as key players in the justice system, have a major role in preventing and handling electoral offenses,” he added.

Sam Muhumure, Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan’s (UNMISS) Wau Field Office, underscored the workshop’s significance in promoting democratic governance and peace.

“This workshop is vital to strengthen the rule of law in the electoral process, which directly aligns with the UNMISS mandate to support the establishment of an enabling environment for free, fair, and peaceful elections in South Sudan,” Muhumure said.

“By equipping prosecutors and police investigators with the tools and knowledge to do their jobs effectively, we are helping to create a more credible electoral system, which is crucial for sustaining democratic governance and long-term peace,” he added.