On 9 December 2015, the Sierra Leone Police Contingent serving with UNAMID handed over a police station they constructed to the Government of Sudan (GoS) at Abu Shouk internally displaced persons (IDPs) Camp, North Darfur. The six room facility, comprising a community service center, investigation room, two prison cells and two offices, was built with funds contributed by Sierra Leone Police Advisers, with support from UNAMID.

Addressing Government of Sudan (GoS) Police and the Abou Shouk IDP Camp community gathered at the handover ceremony, the Sierra Leone Police Contingent Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police, William Faya Sellu, expressed his sincere appreciation, on behalf of his Contingent to UNAMID Acting Police Commissioner, Dr. Mutasem Almajali, for his support and guidance throughout the life of the project. He stated that the initiative of building a police station for the GoS at Abu Shouk IDP Camp was born out of the fact that a small makeshift structure that was being used by the GoS at the same location had outgrown the ever growing community in the IDP Camp.  He stressed that law enforcement is very important in any society and that “law enforcement is the pivot around which the stability, survival and continuity of a society revolves; for without law, society crumbles”. He added that the support provided by the Sierra Leone Police Contingent in Darfur is borne out of empathy with the people in the region as Sierra Leone had once experienced a civil war. “I am very much gratified today to see the final stage of this project. This is a dream come true as the Contingent fought hard to complete the project within four months,” he added.

Handing over the newly constructed police station to the GoS Police, UNAMID Acting Police Commissioner Dr. Mutasem Almajali said that he was honored and privileged to be part of this project. “This is one of the biggest projects which have been undertaken during my time in Darfur. I extend my sincerest gratitude to the Sierra Leone Police Contingent for this wonderful project which will enhance the relationship between UNAMID and GoS”.

Speaking on behalf of the GoS Police, Colonel Dr. Abdel Mohsen Badawy Mohammed, said that they were very happy and thankful to UNAMID and to the Sierra Leone Police Contingent for building a police station for them in Abu Shouk Community. “On behalf of the Commissioner in El Fasher and the entire community of Abu Shouk, I want to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Mutasem, UNAMID and the Sierra Leone Police Contingent for this big project you have done for us. We value this contribution and will never forget this, Inshallah,” he concluded.