South Sudan, Africa’s youngest nation, is training more than 5,000 police personnel in Warrap State as it prepares for general elections scheduled for December 22, 2026, the country’s first general election since independence in 2011.

The training is being conducted across Warrap’s six counties, with officers undergoing drills, arms management and, later, instruction in law and police science. The programme aims to strengthen discipline, professionalism and operational readiness ahead of the polls.

Warrap State Police Commissioner Major General James Monday Enoka told the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation that 41 professional trainers are running the programme.

"We are continuing with applied training, which includes drills. That will be followed by arms management. After 45 days, we start teaching laws and police science," he said.

The training forms part of a wider recruitment drive launched in April 2026 after an assessment identified manpower shortages, training gaps and an uneven age distribution within the police force. New recruits aged 18 to 30 are being brought in from across the country, while untrained officers already in service are being recalled for training.

During the election period, police are expected to help maintain public order, protect civilians and candidates, secure polling stations and ballot materials, and manage crowds.

South Sudan’s elections have been repeatedly postponed since independence, amid conflict and delays in implementing the 2018 peace agreement. While authorities are pressing ahead with preparations for the December vote, concerns remain over security, funding and the feasibility of the electoral timeline.