Illegal possession of firearms deters foreign investment

December 25, 2009 (JUBA) — The semi-autonomous government of Southern Sudan says the illegal possession of firearms in any country or region has the potential to deter foreign investment as it scares away investors.

Minister of internal Affairs General Gier Chuang Aluong said the proliferation of small and light firearms poses a threat to the security of the region, hence there is a need to curb the trade of the firearms.

General Gier delivered these remarks in an address to Murle traditional chiefs who visited him at his residence in Juba requesting government of Southern Sudan to encourage investors invests in Pibor.

However, the minister said government of Southern Sudan encourages foreign investors to invest in different sectors and different states and counties across the region.

“When they come (the investors), we ask them to visit states so they are all able to identify areas they can help in areas we have collectively seen as good for investment,” he adds asking traditional chiefs to encourage local people to hand over firearms to South Sudan Police Service.

Last week the regional government held a traditional leaders convention attended by only paramount chiefs on traditional leadership involvement in conflicts resolution.

It was convened with intention to strengthen prevention and control of small and light weapons in the region saying possession illegal arms poses a big challenge to regional development and free movement.

In an ordinary Christmas chatting, the minister said “good number of our people have lost their lives due to the circulation of illicit firearms”.

“I am delighted that resolution of recent convention will bring to an end the use of illegal firearms,” he further said.

“Some people, especially in villages, have access to these firearms and sometimes they exchange the weapons for even a bag of sorghum because they know getting gun these days is cheap,” he pointed out.

Guns do not cost anybody anything in South Sudan today because there are individuals supplying them at will to cause havoc or with intention to destabilize southern stability and development, Minister Chuang said.

However, he said his ministry as per directives from Southern Sudan President; General Salva Kiir Mayardit is working with states to be in command of the deal of small and light firearms.

He commended the chiefs for being supportive and responsive in a bid to be in command of the use of firearms in the region saying this is one of the quickest ways to convince foreign investors to invest in areas being feared currently.

“We are going to train personnel to assist in the peaceful collection of small firearms so that they can be able to use knowledge they shall gained from the training effectively for tracking weapons within communities,” he said.

(ST)