Security Personnel and Journalists Pledge to Protect One Another

Security personnel and journalists in Kuajok, Warrap State, have pledged to protect one another while discharging their respective duties. The commitment followed heated discussions during a two-day dialogue workshop organized by the National Press Club–South Sudan (NPC–SS) at Salam Hotel in Kuajok on October 21–22, 2026.

Held under the theme “Promoting Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists through Advocacy and Capacity Building for Security Personnel in South Sudan,” up to 30 security personnel, including members of the Police, National Security Service, and South Sudan People’s Defense Forces, alongside 10 journalists and two representatives from the state Ministry of Information and Communication contributed in the dialogue.

The lead trainer, Mr. Paul Jimbo, guided discussions on freedom of expression, access to information, South Sudan’s media laws, and communication with the media during high-pressure situations, among other topics. The discussions explored the roles and responsibilities of security personnel and journalists, why protection matters, and whether journalists can also protect security personnel. One of the conclusion reached is that duty comes after humanity.

The assistant facilitator, Lt. Col. Joseph Mayen Mayen, led discussions on the need for security personnel to protect journalists, ways of promoting freedom of expression, and how security personnel and journalists can work together.

Speaking at the workshop, the Minister of Information and Communication, Hon. William Wol Mayom, emphasized the need for capacity-building for security personnel and journalists as the country prepares for the general elections. Mayom highlighted that challenges are between journalists and security personnel, as well as between security personnel and members of the elections commission, suggesting for a workshop that brings all these groups together. The caretaker minister encouraged participants, to take the training personal, “You should take this workshop as a personal program and make sure to apply the knowledge in the field.” He expressed gratitude to UNESCO, JICA, and NPC–SS for bringing security personnel and journalists together.

The Deputy Police Commissioner, Maj. Gen. Ajuang Malual Manyiel, emphasized the police mandate, saying, “We, the security personnel, have a mandate, and our mandate is the protection of citizens and their properties.” He added that safety and security are for everyone, without fear or favor, noting that when journalists are working in the field, it is the duty of the police to protect them. He assured the journalists of his full support. “I have to assure you that we are ready to cooperate with you and to protect you as journalists here in Warrap State,” he said.

Recognizing journalists’ contribution to national development, Manyiel added, “Without journalists, the activities cannot be known within the country and around the world.” He thanked the partners for the workshop and requested that NPC–SS return for a refresher workshop before the elections.

NPC–SS representative, Mr. Moses Ayume, encouraged the participants to return to their duties with the new knowledge and initiate activities to sustain the workshop’s outcome. Ayume challenged participants to be creative and put the knowledge to proper use.

Representing the security personnel, Mr. Mariak Madut Mayom acknowledged that they had acquired new knowledge and pledged to share it with those who could not attend. “Thank you, our trainers, for the new knowledge you have given us. We are not going to keep this knowledge; we are going to pass it on to those who did not attend,” he said.

Meanwhile, the journalists’ representative, Ms. Atoch Charles Chiech, thanked the facilitator for the training, saying it had helped participants learn many new things. Chiech noted that the knowledge acquired would improve their work as journalists and strengthen their cooperation with security personnel.

The workshop builds on a UNESCO-led Training of Trainers held in Juba in June 2026 and was supported by JICA South Sudan. NPC–SS is working with partners and media institutions to strengthen relationships between the press and security institutions and foster a safer environment for journalism in South Sudan.