Last week I went on a Long Range Patrol to Ikotos. Ikotos is approximately 90 kilometres from Torit and about a three and a half hour drive. We were stopped at an SPLA checkpoint in a place called Kyala. This is always an unpredictable situation. The UNMOS have previously been stopped and detained there at the SPLA camp. I was in the lead vehicle and an SPLA soldier came to my door with his AK47 in hand. He was obviuosly drunk. A happy drunk though. I explained where we were going and what we were doing in the area and my language assistant translated. No problem. I shook hands with him and we went on our way. The patrol went well and we only suffered two flat tires which was good because we were quickly running out of spares. A local helped me out with our 2nd flat tire. I gave him my tilley 
hat for his help which he was quite happy with. Then he wanted my "Canadian" lanyard. We made a trade.In Ikotos, as in other counties in our AOR (area of responsibility), we have a responsibility to support the UNPOL mandate by monitoring, mentoring, and training the SSPS as we do in Torit on a daily basis. Our area of responsibility is quite large. It is impossible to effectively fulfill our mandate and it is a constant battle that I face with both our Sector Headquarters and Main Headquarters. This is due to manpower shortages, lack of effecient vehicles, and the rainy season when many of these places are not accessible by road. 
The Human Rights Section from Juba also joined our patrol as they had an investigation to conduct from an incident that occured in November of 2008. The County Commissioner had used the SPLA to investgate the murder of a Ugandan man in the area. Their investigation resulted in two 4 suspects being arrested which included an SSPS offcer, a prison warden, and two SPLA recruits. The SSPS officer and prison warden had hired the two SPLA recruits to kill a man. They were given 100 pounds ($50 dollars) to kill the man and they killed the wrong one. The SPLA ended up hanging these men upside down for 5 days beating and torturing a confession out of them. The end result was that on
e of them died. The cause of death was that the man bled to death from the wounds to his wrists caused by rope being tied too tight. Human Rights was investigating the death of this prisoner while in custody of the SPLA and the use of SPLA to investigate a murder instead of the SSPS. I guess that is what happens when you get a soldier to do the work of a police officer.
Upon arrival to Ikotos we visited the County Commissioner as a courtesy to announce our arrival. We were well received, but obviously there were some suspicions as to what the Human Rights Section was doing there. As UNPOLS we had to make sure that the local officials understood that Human R
ights was a separate entity and that they would be acting on their own and that we were not involved at all in their investigation.
We then went to find a place to stay. We found some people that would rent us tukuls. It was great. I had wanted to sleep in a tukul and finally got the chance to do it. For $20.00 (which is actually pretty expensive) we all had our on tukul which included traditional Southern Sudanese cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The bathroom, as always, took a little getting used to.
The Human Rights Section from Juba also joined our patrol as they had an investigation to conduct from an incident that occured in November of 2008. The County Commissioner had used the SPLA to investgate the murder of a Ugandan man in the area. Their investigation resulted in two 4 suspects being arrested which included an SSPS offcer, a prison warden, and two SPLA recruits. The SSPS officer and prison warden had hired the two SPLA recruits to kill a man. They were given 100 pounds ($50 dollars) to kill the man and they killed the wrong one. The SPLA ended up hanging these men upside down for 5 days beating and torturing a confession out of them. The end result was that on
e of them died. The cause of death was that the man bled to death from the wounds to his wrists caused by rope being tied too tight. Human Rights was investigating the death of this prisoner while in custody of the SPLA and the use of SPLA to investigate a murder instead of the SSPS. I guess that is what happens when you get a soldier to do the work of a police officer.Upon arrival to Ikotos we visited the County Commissioner as a courtesy to announce our arrival. We were well received, but obviously there were some suspicions as to what the Human Rights Section was doing there. As UNPOLS we had to make sure that the local officials understood that Human R
ights was a separate entity and that they would be acting on their own and that we were not involved at all in their investigation.We then went to find a place to stay. We found some people that would rent us tukuls. It was great. I had wanted to sleep in a tukul and finally got the chance to do it. For $20.00 (which is actually pretty expensive) we all had our on tukul which included traditional Southern Sudanese cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The bathroom, as always, took a little getting used to.
We met with 
the SSPS Police Station Commander and were briefed on the security situation of the area. The usual problems exist regarding cattle raiding and violent clashes between different tribes over grazing rights. It is not rare to see a 12 year old boy carrying an AK-47 in these parts. They are not child soldiers as some might think, they carry weapons handed down from their fathers who had fought in the war to protect their families cattle from cattle raiders.
the SSPS Police Station Commander and were briefed on the security situation of the area. The usual problems exist regarding cattle raiding and violent clashes between different tribes over grazing rights. It is not rare to see a 12 year old boy carrying an AK-47 in these parts. They are not child soldiers as some might think, they carry weapons handed down from their fathers who had fought in the war to protect their families cattle from cattle raiders.We spent two days conducting some on the job training with some of the local SSPS officers and also visted the SSPS detention cells. There were 9 people in custody, 4 men and 5 women. 8 people were being held for adultery and 1 woman for murdering her husband. The cell was filthy. I walked in and could barely breathe. The odour of urine and human feces filled the place which was one room in small rock building. The woman we were told slept outside at night.
We also visited the local prison and met with the Prison Commander. Under the guidance of my Corrections Officer we were able to do some ba
sic training their as well. We were very well received by the prison officers, most of which had just graduated from basic training held in Torit. We were given a tour of the prison cells. One of the prison cells at the prison was simply a pit surrounded in thorn bushes. I prefer to go to jail in Canada...if that is what has to happen one day.
After 3 days we packed up and left the drive back to Torit went well and there were no problems. While driving back we drove by a boy who could not have been older than 12 years with an AK47 over his shoulder walking behind about 50 cows. That is the life in some of these
parts. People kill each other for cattle. It is all about survival.
Rory
We also visited the local prison and met with the Prison Commander. Under the guidance of my Corrections Officer we were able to do some ba
sic training their as well. We were very well received by the prison officers, most of which had just graduated from basic training held in Torit. We were given a tour of the prison cells. One of the prison cells at the prison was simply a pit surrounded in thorn bushes. I prefer to go to jail in Canada...if that is what has to happen one day.After 3 days we packed up and left the drive back to Torit went well and there were no problems. While driving back we drove by a boy who could not have been older than 12 years with an AK47 over his shoulder walking behind about 50 cows. That is the life in some of these
parts. People kill each other for cattle. It is all about survival.Well not too much longer and I'll be heading home. One week to be exact and I will start my check out process. It is beginning to feel a little awkward. This feels like home, but I am excited to go back to my other home to see my other friends and my family. I am sure it will not be a problem.
Oh yes. One more thing. We were able to successfully have Little Bashir released from the prison last week. When asked about his time in jail how he felt about finally being released, he just smiled. Hey, he is only 2 years old. 
Cheers,
Cheers,
Rory
(Photos from top to bottom: 1) En-route to Ikotos, 2) Ant Noll, 3) Spoils of war could be found everywhere on the way, 4) Timone gave us a hand on the way, 5 & 6) My tukul, 7) My toilet, 8)After meeting and training at the local SSPS police station, 9) Prison Commander Major Bol REATH, 10) Armoured vehicle left over from the war, 11) Holding cell at the prison, 12) Lecturing the prison officers, 13) Group photo with the prison officers) 
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