Top JTSC official visits Bentiu to prepare for unified police deployment

BENTIU – The Deputy Chairperson of South Sudan’s Joint Transitional Security Committee (JTSC) for the Greater Upper Nile region, Major General Ali Kur Ajak, arrived in Bentiu, Unity State capital, on Wednesday to prepare for deployment of joint police forces.

Speaking to Sudans Post in Bentiu, Gen. Ajak said he visited Kaljak Unified Police Training Centre, to assess the readiness of the joint police forces for deployment.

“I came here purposely to confirm the number of unified police forces which are ready for the deployment. We are preparing the ground for unified police forces’ deployment,” he said.

He stressed the need to first determine the exact number of available and ready personnel and said the long-awaited deployment of the forces is scheduled for the first week of January 2024.

“As we have registered them today, 3,061 Unified Police Forces are ready for deployment in Unity State, Bentiu, and will be deployed as soon as possible,” he assured.

Upon arrival, Maj. Gen. Ajak was received by the Unity State Police Commissioner and other officials and highlighted a concerning issue of desertion of the police forces of training centres.

He said that despite the graduation of more than 4,000 soldiers at Kaljak, some personnel deserted due to food shortages and lack of medical facilities.

They reportedly left their Assembly point to seek essential necessities for themselves and their families.

This, Gen. Ajak said, raises concerns about the training center’s deficiencies and their potential impact on the planned deployment.