Sudan’s Lakes State celebrates 3,602 guns disarmament
By Manyang Mayom
Feb 21, 2007 (RUMBEK) — Thousand of people had gathered today in Rumbek Freedom Square to celebrate the disarmament lay out of fire-arms. The total of collected fire arms is 3,602 including AK47 and some heavy machinegun.
Lakes Sate Governor Daniel Awet Akot says that his privileged to have this opportunity on this important Day in the process of disarmament and display of fire arms collected in the State in this Freedom Square. At the outset, this moment to recognize and appreciate the good work of members of both the State main committee and the sub committees of the disarmament for their tremendous job well done.
In this regard, he addressed a special thanks to SPLA Brigadier Bol Akot, Commander of the disarmament in the State and all the officers, NGOs and men who have participate and still participating in this noble job; keeping our communities peaceful, safe and free from guns.
He congratulated SPLA and Law Enforcement Agencies for this big great achievement that we had done in this State to disarms the cuprites and unauthorized personal in this State. He also promised that Lakes state must to be the centre for the right doing thing always like now they State government has adopted disarmament achievement peacefully.
Governor Awet added that this display of guns you have just witnessed here today in this Freedom Square is not the end of the process of disarmament, but it just the beginning of our work. I assure you that we will continue to search for all types of weapons including Iron sticks (Hadit) and bring those violators before the courts of Law to face justice.
Nevertheless Daniel Awet said that, operations of disarmament in Lakes State are carried out in the context of provisional laws of disarmament and curfew. These laws were enacted and passed by the State Legislative Assembly. In accordance to these laws, possession of fire arms by civilians, loitering SPLA and Disabled soldiers is illegal, prohibited and punishable by the rule of law. The punishment for possession of fire arms in the territory of Lakes State is two (2) years imprisonment and a fine of ten (10) cows. Nevertheless, the violators upon their sentences will be requited to serve hard labor in the state project e.g. Brick works, sanitation in the town, etc.
He pointed out that during the course of our efforts in mobilizing chiefs and youths (Gelwong) to surrender their weapons, we realized that there are some government officials and local leaders, who were highly motivated, committed, very organized and have done wonderful jobs. Therefore, it is a great pleasure to honor, praise and appreciate publicly the good work of these individuals in the process of the disarmament.
Awet thanked some individual who had help during disarmament process in Lakes State like United Nation Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) for standing with us all this time of CPA and seriously monitoring against the violence” Brigadier Bol Akot, Commander of disarmament in the State, Kongor Deng Kongor, commissioner of Cueibet County, Adhum Kley, Executive chief of Bunagok, for their great concerns to encourage the community fighter to surrenders their guns to our braves SPLA soldiers peacefully.
The governor detailed out the number of the collected arms during the disarmament operations since 2006 in the different counties of Lakes State are as follows:
– 1. Cueibet County = 770 Rifles arms disarmament.
– 2. Yirol West = 475 Rifles. The army retrieved 80 hidden guns in the forest.
– 3. Yirol East= 464 Rifles arms disarmament
– 4. Rumbek North = 354 Rifles arms disarmament
– 5. Awerial = 348 Rifles arms disarmament
– 6. Rumbek Centre = 281 Rifles arms disarmament
– 7. Rumbek East = 215 Rifles, the Army collected 52 rifles = 267 rifles
– 8. Wulu County = 86 Rifles arms disarmament
– 9. Two conducted searches in Rumbek Town = 487 rifles.
The total guns collected in the Lakes State counties are 3,602 rifles been disarms.
Lt.Gen. Daniel Awet concluded that his Government is very determined to make Lakes State one of the best and peaceful places in South Sudan.
He urged the population to join hands with the government to “make this Dream a reality”.
However, he warned that no one is allowed “under any circumstance is allowed to take law into his/her own hands.” And reminded the people that its is role of the government to protect them.
(ST)