Civilians in from Mayom county in Unity state handover over 1,700 guns to SPLA

By Bonifacio Taban Kuich

November 7, 2010 (JUBA) – Authorities in Mayom county have said that citizens from the county have peacefully handed over 1,731 guns to the southern army – the SPLA.

Col. John Madeng Gatduel told Sudan Tribune by telephone on Sunday that the negotiation policies of local chiefs had been by his administration to come up with a policy of forgiveness.

This peaceful hand over of guns was coordinated through the County Commissioner and the local chiefs in collaboration with Payams [wards] administration.

He said citizens in the county have committed to peace with their neighbors ahead of south Sudan’s referendum on independence in January.

Gatduel said that over 5,000 people have arrived in Bentiu from Khartoum on their way to Mayom but road inaccessibility has meant they have had to stay in the state capital.

He promised that the road would be made clear again after two or three days.

Many Sudanese are expected to return to the south to take part in the referendum despite voting centers due to be opened in the north and abroad in areas where enough people register.

Most observers believe and the mood in the south indicates that the south will vote to become an independent nation when the referendum begins on January 9, 2011.

(ST)