Short Range Patrol - Basunga

A few days ago I went on a Short Range Patrol with one of the Fijian UNPOL officers , a language assistant, and my Canadian UNPOL partner Wayne to a small village on the outskirts of Yambio County called Basunga. We are unable to do medium or long range patrols due to the security phase level we are currently under. The roads are terrible here especially after rain. Let’s just say that the drive there was interesting.

When we arrived we spoke with some of the locals and asked them whether or not the SSPS (Southern Sudan Police Service) have been conducting patrols in and around their village. We also asked them about any criminal problems that they may be experiencing. They stated that domestic disputes and alcohol related assaults are the main problems they are having, but that their tribe deals with these issues themselves. They also mentioned a murder about 4 months prior where two young boys between the ages of 14 and 16 got into a fight and one ended up killing the other. The suspect was taken to Yambio and placed under arrest. The status of the investigation is unknown at this time.

We then met with the chief, Mathew Bazaangban, who had a young 7 year old boy with him. He told us that 4 days ago a young man struck a pedestrian on his motorcycle which resulted in the victim losing consciousness. The victim was taken to the hospital in Yambio and the driver was taken to Yambio and handed over to the SSPS to be placed under arrest. They following day, the local villagers found the boy wandering in the village. He is apparently the brother of the driver. The Chief requested that we take the boy back to Yambio to the Police Headquarters who would be able to track down the boys aunt who is living there. So we brought him on board and did just that. The young boy told us he was 14. He is really only about 7 or 8, but that is what it is like here. Many people do not know their real age.

Our job here is to mentor, train, and assist with the restructuring of the SSPS. I am having trouble with respect to feeling that we should be doing more, but this is somewhat out of my hands. Tomorrow my team leader and I will be meeting with the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of the SSPS requesting permission thath the UNPOL officers on our team become more actively involved with the investigations that the SSPS are conducting and do some on the job training with respect to this. I think it is important to take a step back though and understand that it was not up until recently where, for example, if a woman was raped, she would get arrested, and if someone committed a crime, a family member could be arrested until the suspect turned themselves in. We are taking baby steps so to speak. I think any fellow police officers would find this a little hard to get used to. It can be quite frustrating at times. Especially when you are trying to take big steps with short legs.

Cheers,

Gonzo