Northern Bahr el Ghazal State conducts illegal arms search operation

By Ngor Arol Garang

September 23, 2009 (ABYEI) — Just a week after the search for illegal arms in the southern capital of Juba, Northern Bahr el-Ghazal state security forces conducted a similar exercise on Monday in Aweil town.

Last week, the Minister for Internal Affairs in the Government of Southern Sudan, General Gier Chuang Aluong, said GOSS authorities directs states to conduct similar operation to collect arms from unauthorized persons.

Speaking from Aweil town, Hon Majang Ngor Kuany said the operation was a successful one.

He said the exercise was carried out in compliance to implement search for illegal weapons ordered by the President of the Government of Southern Sudan.

He also said governor Paul Malong Awan Anei instructed security forces to extend search operations to county headquarters such as Wanjok, Gok Machar, Nyamelell, Malek Alel, Aroyo and commercial centers like Warawar.

Asked whether the search of illegal arms experienced resistance from local population, he said the operation was successful, “no recorded complains from the civilians were received.”

The police and army units collected one hundred and seven of assorted fire arms, among them were Kalashnikovs, some hand held grenades.

Northern Bahr el-Ghazal has relatively remained calm since the conduct of peace conference held last year in November between the Dinka and Messiriya communities.

(ST)