Undated video-captured image shows personnel, some in police uniform matching in Aweil, NBGS. (via Sudans Post).

Police in Northern Bhar el Gazal has denied allegations that it is recruiting and training civilians to integrate them into the army, clarifying that a recent video showing personnel matching in street is a refreshment training for active officers.

On Thursday, February 1, 2024, a Sudans Post story alleged that the state government might be training hundreds of recruits in Aweil, with intention to integrate them into the South Sudan People’s Defense Force.

The online news site further claimed that an estimated 573 recruits are currently undergoing training at the Mathiang Facility within Aweil town.

Meanwhile, the state police spokesperson, Captain Guot Guot Akol said the report is outrageous and speculative.

Captain Akol said there is no way the police could recruit army troops because the two are different institutions with two different mandates.

“These are outrageous and unfounded allegations. First of all, know that the police and military are two different institutions with two different mandates. There is no way that the police can train a civilian and integrate them into the military,” Akol said.

He, however, confirmed that training has taken place but argues that it is part of the state police initiative to orient active officers as directed by the Inspector General of Police.

He added that the first batch was collected from all the state’s five counties, adding that there is no new recruitment is taking place in the state.

“Back earlier in 2023, we came up with the initiative to keep our forces well-oriented on the law’s policy of the police. On 15th January 2023, we took the first batch.”

“We collected them from all five administrative counties, police and also the headquarters and we took them for three months. Refresher courses the ongoing now is second batch of the refresher course.”

“But this time we started with their private there is not any recruitment and we do not have any budget to recruit recruits into the police.”