By Ijoo Bosco
United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is providing training to the South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) Human Rights Division on combating conflict-related sexual violence in Eastern Equatoria State.
According to UNMISS Human Rights Officer Anthony Mwapa, the two-day capacity-building training targets senior SSPDF officers, aiming to equip them with the skills necessary to train their fellow colleagues.
Mwapa emphasizes that the training will also help the SSPDF disseminate the national action plan on conflict-related sexual violence at the grassroots level.
“This is primarily a training of trainers for senior officers from SSPDF Brigade 3 and the Division 7 headquarters,” he said.
“The main objective of this training is to engage with them on vital issues related to human rights, international humanitarian laws, commands of responsibility regarding conflict-related sexual violence, and the action plan signed by the SSPDF leadership to respect, promote, protect, and fulfill human rights, as well as address conflict-related sexual violence within the national army of South Sudan,” Mwapa stated.
He further noted that the training marks the beginning of efforts to conduct similar sessions for opposition forces, such as the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) across the state.
Mr. Mwapa assured the state leadership that there would be no differentiation among forces, as all need education on international instruments.
“We are starting with the SSPDF, but we also intend to conduct similar training for the SSOA and SPLM-IO. Our approach is inclusive; we recognize that all forces require training on these international instruments. Better understanding will enable them to protect civilians, leading to increased happiness among the population and ultimately fostering peace and development,” he said.
“Human rights violations are a major cause of conflict; when rights are respected, peace will prevail. The essence of this training is to engage all forces, including the SPLM-IO, SSOA, and SSPDF. We plan to make this an annual initiative, beginning with the SSPDF,” Mwapa added.
“To ensure that the rights of citizens living in Eastern Equatoria are protected and respected, the duties and responsibilities of these forces must be understood. By understanding their roles, they can effectively carry them out, leading to peace and development, which is our aspiration for South Sudan,” he said.
Mwapa also urged participants to respond to and prevent human rights violations and conflict-related sexual violence within the communities of Eastern Equatoria.
Brigadier General John Koch Maak praised the UNMISS Human Rights Division for the two-day training program for the SSPDF in selected units within Torit town.
General Koch acknowledged the importance of the training, stating that the SSPDF is committed to following constitutional laws and mandates to fulfill its roles in accordance with the country’s international practices.
He encouraged participants to take the training seriously to enhance their understanding of human rights issues related to conflict-related sexual violence, thereby promoting peace and development in the State.
“The SSPDF operates under a set of laws and a constitution that guide us. It is crucial to understand that the SSPDF is the national army of South Sudan, as well as part of a universal army governed by law—not just a mere military force, as some may perceive.”
“This type of training is invaluable, as it adds to the knowledge of individuals and addresses peace and security issues concerning their operations in the country. It also helps build leadership skills among the participants. I urge all attendees to fully engage in these two days of training to gain the knowledge being offered,” he stated.
The training brought together 50 participants from SSPDF Brigade 3 and the Division 7 headquarters in Torit town, Eastern Equatoria State.