The Inspector General of Police, General Said Chawul Lom [left], and the Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan, Ma Qiang, display signed documents during the handover ceremony of equipment to police in Juba on Monday, June 15, 2026. (Photo: Awan Moses/Eye Radio)

The National Police Service has announced that 15 South Sudanese police officers have completed training in China to operate and manage forensic laboratory equipment donated by the Chinese government to assist in criminal investigations and address cybercrime.

The equipment was officially handed over on Monday under a cooperation agreement between South Sudan and China focused on law enforcement capacity and forensic investigation infrastructure.

Speaking to Eye Radio, the Inspector General of Police, General Said Chawul Lom, stated that the donation is intended to assist investigators in addressing crimes. He noted that the technology will support investigations into cybercrime, fraud, forgery, robbery, and homicide cases that require scientific evidence.

Gen. Chawul acknowledged the Government of China for the assistance provided to the South Sudan National Police Service. He stated that the equipment, delivered under the first phase of the agreement, is designated to assist digital forensic investigations and the processing of criminal cases.

According to police officials, preparations for the arrival of the equipment included establishing a laboratory environment, securing a power supply, and training the personnel responsible for operating the systems.

Officials stated that the 15 police officers were sent to China for training before the equipment was shipped to South Sudan. These officers were trained to install, operate, and maintain the forensic systems.

They are now expected to train additional personnel within the country, including officers stationed in the states, to expand forensic infrastructure.

Authorities confirmed that a second phase of Chinese support is scheduled to include DNA testing equipment, expanded laboratory systems, and electronic fingerprint technology.

Police officials stated that the support arrives as criminal activities increasingly involve digital platforms for fraud and identity-related crimes, creating a requirement for modern forensic tools in law enforcement and judicial administration.

“According to the agreement, one of the conditions was that the site be prepared and a specific environment provided for these devices, including the location, a power source, and the training of personnel who would be responsible for the equipment,” Gen. Said Chawul Lom stated.

“We provided all these requirements. Before shipping the equipment from China to South Sudan, we sent approximately 15 police officers and personnel to receive training on how to operate the equipment.

“We provided this training so that they could, in turn, train other personnel in the country. In other words, we trained the personnel before receiving the equipment.

“After their arrival in the country, China shipped the equipment, and they have now received it. They will be responsible for installing, operating, and running the equipment, and we will task them with training a number of personnel in the states on this work.”