South Sudan says it has started recruiting thousands of police officers as it gears up for it first-ever elections in December.

National police spokesperson Daniel Justin confirmed to AFP that 10,000 people were being recruited across 10 states, including 3,000 in Northern Bahr El Ghazal and 1,200 in Central Equatoria states.

Justin told AFP the recruits would join 70,000 personnel nationwide.

The country is grappling with economic and security challenges.

The UN and the African Union have voiced doubts about the country’s readiness for the December 22 elections, but President Salva Kiir appears determined to remain in power.

Northern Bahr El Ghazal state police spokesman Madut Ngong Aleu insisted the new officers would be used to “secure the upcoming election”.

Recruits will be deployed in voter registration centres and polling stations, as well as for protection duties, he said.

Officials told AFP the police recruitment was being funded by the government, without foreign aid, although they declined to give details.

South Sudan has endured violence since its inception, including a civil war between 2013 and 2018 that claimed an estimated 400,000 lives.