[Left - Right] Sudan's Deputy Ambassador to Juba, Isam Idris Ibrahim, Sudan's Director-General of the Police Force, Gen. Adil Mohammed Ahmed Bashir, Inspector General of South Sudan Police, Gen. Majak Akech in Juba on Friday August 2, 2019. PHOTO: South Sudan National Police Service/facebook.com/police2456/

Sudan has offered to help the South Sudan National Police Service with the training of the joint integrated police as its contribution to the revitalized peace agreement.

The Director-General of Sudan’s police said the two countries are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on enhancing cooperation in the police service.

General Adil Mohammad Ahmed arrived in Juba yesterday for a three-day visit.

Together with his delegation, he met with the Presidential Advisor on Security Affairs, Tut Kew, and the national police service leadership headed by the Inspector General of Police, General Majak Akech.

Gen. Adil said the MoU will also address the payment of pensions to South Sudanese police personnel who previously served in Sudan.

Thousands of South Sudanese worked in Sudan police force before the country separated in 2011. Many have not received their pension benefits for the last 8 years.

Once the agreement is signed, former police officers, including those who have retired are expected to receive their benefits and pension.

Three years ago, South Sudan and Sudan agreed to extend the Cooperation Agreements the two countries signed in 2012.

The cooperation agreements are specifically on oil, border issues, citizenship rights, and the division of debts and assets, among others.

South Sudan Inspector General of Police, General Majak also engaged the visiting delegation in talks on customs services along the borders of the two countries, and security as part of the 2012 agreement.

“The most important issue is the customs point between the two countries. We also looked at the issue of training and capacity building of the police in South Sudan. We talked about the need to help the police here using the available resources in Khartoum,” said Gen. Adil.

South Sudan is in the process of reorganizing the armed forces through reforms adopted in the revitalized peace agreement.

A unified force including the army and the police will be trained to protect all demilitarized areas.

“The visit will conclude with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two countries,” said Major General Daniel Justin, South Sudan National Police Spokesperson.

“We hope to have a very excellent relationship that benefits the police in both countries,” Gen. Adil asserted.

Sudan is also currently engaged in talks to reform its security sector which has been accused of committing atrocities against the civil population over the years under the rule of President Omar al Bashir.

Months of protests that started in April this year led to the overthrow of President Bashir and has placed the future of the country in the hands of the protestors and a ruling elite of military generals.

The protesters recently forced the change of name of notorious Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Services to General Intelligence Services.

The Transitional Military Council also agreed to restructure it into a body that focuses on combating terrorism and espionage, preventing human trafficking and fighting corruption and money laundering.

It will be under the supervision of the sovereignty council and the Council of Ministers in Sudan throughout the 3 years transition of a civilian-military rule.