By Yiep Joseph
United Nations Integrated Electoral Assistance Team (UN IEAT) on Thursday handed over a fully furnished office and conference facility to Election Security Committee at the National Police Service.
The office, located within the National Police headquarters, is equipped with ICT equipment, including computers, and a solar power system.
The UN IEAT’s donation aims to strengthen the committee’s institutional preparedness and capacity building, enabling effective coordination.
The facility will support transparency and law enforcement during the electoral process as South Sudan prepares for the 2026 elections, as outlined in the extended peace agreement.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Gen. Abraham Manyuat expressed gratitude to the UN and other partners for their support in empowering the Election Security Committee and South Sudan as a whole.
He appealed to the election committee leadership to properly maintain the office and use it for the intended purpose.
“We do not want to come here (the office) after a year or after some months and find this place (the office) in a mess; now it is your responsibility to take care of this place,” Manyuat said.
“The responsibility of keeping all these items, such as computers, and cleaning the hall clean is your responsibility,” he added.
He vowed that the police would continue to work hard to maintain law and order in the country, including during and after elections.
Kaustubh Sharma Sharma, Deputy Police Commissioner, UN Police, reiterated that the support is aimed at empowering the election security committee.
“This special event today, the handover of conference and office space for the election security committee, was a cornerstone for our capacity-building efforts along with the integrated electoral affairs team,” he said.
“Our primary objective is to empower the election security committee to create a secure environment for an electoral process,” he added.
He expressed that despite challenges, UN has done various training and remains committed to helping in areas of peacebuilding as well as the election process.
“With collective efforts and dedication, we can empower people to exercise their rights for free and fair elections. Together, we can make a difference in creating a peaceful South Sudan,” he said.
On his part, Maj. General Sadik Ismail, chairperson for the election security committee in South Sudan, appreciated UN for the support, adding that the office would ease work.
He reiterated that the election security committee would remain committed to working hand in hand with the partners in order to safeguard elections in the country.
Constanza Lucangeli, Deputy Chief, Nations Integrated Electoral Assistance Team (UN IEAT), expressed that the handover of the office to the committee justified teamwork between the committee and the partners.
“The construction of this premise is a tangible result of the work that we have been doing,” she said.
She appreciated partners helping the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in order to support the national election security committee.