Disarmament in Lakes State raises criticism and concerns
By Manyang Mayom
April 24, 2010 (RUMBEK) – Southern Sudan army campaign to seize illegal arms in Lakes state is criticized by local official due to soldiers’ brutality and lack of coordination with concerned authorities.
Before to conduct the disarmament, officials of the concerned sites and the SPLA officers met in Rumbek to discuss the operation and it was agreed to involve them in the operation to ensure successful conclusion. However, county commissioners and local chiefs were ignored during the process.
The campaign is also marred by brutalities and harassment of civilians.
David Marial Gumke, the commissioner of Rumbek East County said that he had not been notified about the disarmament process taking place in his county.
“The army is not ready to listen to us. I don’t know how we can work in this atmosphere,” David said, blaming the army for not informing the county authorities about the disarmament.
He reaffirmed that it had been agreed in a meeting held in the state headquarters to involve local chiefs and counties commissioners regretting that the SPLA did not endorsed the resolution.
“We are excluded in this disarmament, now the army is receiving orders from where I don’t know; I am wondering whether they are receiving orders from their commanders whom we meet in Rumbek or from SPLA general headquarters or from elsewhere, I don’t know really,” David said.
He further stressed that the army should cooperate with the local officials, and act in a responsible way if they want a fruitful campaign
“This disarmament was requested by South Sudan chiefs in Bentiu chief conference last year. There is no good soldier but when there is bad command, I think it is what is happening now,” he pointed out.
On Saturday, SPLA soldiers beaten up civilians of Pacong payam while they were interrogating them about weapons. The youth were gathered under the trees and army officers questioned them about who has a gun in the area.
“This operation does not reflect how the disarmament should be done, there is no way to beat person if that person has no gun,” said Pacong Commissionner Marial Gumke
Gumke appealed on Rumbek East County population to remain calm and also urged youth to handover their guns, “the solution is that civilians should surrender their guns so that this army to leave the area,” he said.
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Dinka Boy
Disarmament in Lakes State raises criticism and concerns
What is apoint of disarming some communities,while others are not disarmed?
Who are those people are attacking people’s cattle camp and killed innocent civilians and took their properties? Where did they get gun from from if the disarmament has been done to all States? It seems that the disarmament is not done fully in some societies. I wish oneday someone will caught alive while attacking the civilians so that the thorough investigation will be carried out so that those food lovers will get shame to the public.