Jonglei’s Pibor gathers more guns

By Philip Thon Aleu

November 18, 2008 (BOR TOWN) – At least 1700 arms have been collected in Jonglei County of Pibor, a survey by SPLM reveals. The collection makes the County more likely responsive to disarmament campaigns which commenced on June 1st 2008 in Southern Sudan.

Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) Jonglei secretariat, during a visit to Pibor early November, 2008, found that the County collected 1752 small arms (sample in photo). Pibor Member of Parliament to South Sudan Legislative Assembly, Ismail Konyi and Commissioner Akot Maze, who are believed to have invested in disarmament campaigns, pledge progressive efforts, SPLM information office disclosed.

Southern Sudan laughed massive disarmament on June 1st 2008. A significant number of small arms remained at the hand of civilians following the two decades civil war brokered by 2005 peace between mainly Southern and Northern armed forces.

These illegal arms on the other hand trigger cattle raiding along tribal line halting Jonglei progress. Surging cattle wrangles in 2007 resulted in lost of many lives, child abductions and cattle theft. Pibor men were greatly accused.

The effective disarmament there has not been a surprise to many; given Ismail Konyi position as Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) Presidential Advisor for Peace and people’s eager for peaceful co-existence, some analyst suggest. So far, no other Counties had made their disarmament public.

(ST)