In 2006, Burton Rands began training in support of the defense transformation and security sector development process in South Sudan.  Since that time, the company has trained over 4,500 members of the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) in basic command and staff skills, internal security, counter-insurgency, close protection, medical and communications skills. This includes over 100 personnel of the President and Vice President’s guard and over 600 SPLA Colonels. Train-the-trainer courses have been an important part of Burton Rands’ approach to successful capacity building, training over 200 South Sudanese instructors, many of whom are currently working in military colleges and training centers.  All training places a strong emphasis on humanitarian codes of conduct and international law of armed conflict. 

Burton Rands continues to be involved at the highest level of military command and defense transformation in South Sudan, as part of a 3-year DFID (UK) sponsored Security Sector Reform project. Burton Rands' consultants are also advising a committee that aims to bring together the major donor nations with the SPLA, for the development of defense and security doctrine.

As a natural evolution of the company’s support for and understanding of the reform and transformation process, Burton Rands was contracted to support the US Department of State's security sector transformation program in Sudan, military assistance program in DRC and logistical support to stabilization efforts in Somalia through the provision of technical monitors and inventory control staff. In-depth knowledge of East and Central Africa and country-specific understanding of the environmental, logistical and security challenges, combined with an existing cadre of highly qualified individuals with specialties such as training, construction and logistics has ensured success and growth.

Drawing on unrivalled in-country knowledge and capabilities, Burton Rands won the contract to provide security support and asset protection for USAID’s Sudan Infrastructure Services Project (SISP) in early 2008.  Continuing the commitment to capacity building, Burton Rands assisted in the development of a security concept to assist the Government of South Sudan (GOSS) and the SPLA with the implementation of a Demobilization, Disarmament, and Reintegration (DDR) program.  Expert security management, provided by expatriate staff, oversee more than 100 South Sudanese armed and unarmed guards trained in the provision of both static and mobile security. Responsibility for security and logistics for this project have covered such challenging regions of Sudan as the transitional areas and Darfur.

Burton Rands was awarded a contract by the US Department of State to provide support to the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) and military integration processes of negative groups in Eastern Congo. Support includes the provision of program management and consultancy services focused on research, planning, advisory and sensitization operations.    

Burton Rands Associates is a trusted partner for development in the region. With a reach that extends throughout East and Central Africa, Burton Rands has extensive first-hand knowledge and understanding of regional challenges. The company has established solid relationships with local governments and security forces, and has effective logistical and administrative processes to support operations throughout the region. Burton Rands looks forward to supporting regional peace, stability and development in the coming years.

Burton Rands provides information support and advisory services to NGOs operating in South Sudan. As part of this effort, Burton Rands won a contract to provide the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) with security consultancy and management support. The contract focuses on the development of incident and crisis response plans for USAID sponsored democracy and elections programs in Sudan. The project scope includes the integration of these plans with current operations for over 20 different locations. In addition to providing consultant assistance in the event of an incident or crisis, it involves delivery of weekly security information reports relating to political and security risks in Sudan and security related 'alerts' as required.