The Western Bahr el Ghazal State Police Service has recruited 1,010 new police officers, including 135 women, in a move aimed at strengthening law enforcement and enhancing security ahead of South Sudan’s December 2026 general elections.
The recruitment exercise, conducted at the State Police Headquarters in Wau on Wednesday, saw 875 men and 135 women enlisted, with women making up 13.4 per cent of the new intake.
State authorities said the exercise forms part of broader efforts to reinforce public security and ensure a peaceful electoral process.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Chairperson of the Organising Committee, Major General Richard Biajo, said recruitment remains open as the state has yet to meet its target number of officers.
He encouraged eligible South Sudanese to apply, saying the additional personnel would strengthen policing capacity, improve public safety and support election security across the state.
Addressing the recruits, State Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Edward Dimitri urged them to uphold professionalism, discipline and integrity in carrying out their duties.
He reminded the new officers that the police service is entrusted with protecting lives and property, enforcing the law impartially and maintaining public confidence.
He stressed that officers deployed during the election period must remain politically neutral and uphold the rule of law at all times.
Western Bahr el Ghazal Governor Major General Sherif Daniel Sherif commended the State Police Service for expanding its workforce, describing the recruitment as an important step towards strengthening the state’s security institutions.
The governor congratulated the recruits and urged them to serve with patriotism, dedication and respect for human rights, saying they would play a vital role in maintaining peace, protecting citizens and providing a secure environment before, during and after the December polls.
The recruitment of more than 1,000 officers marks one of the largest police intakes in Western Bahr el Ghazal in recent years.
Authorities say the exercise is part of ongoing efforts to improve law enforcement capacity, enhance public safety and support the peaceful conduct of South Sudan’s first general elections since the 2018 peace agreement.
