Warrap youth start massive recruitment in defense of South Sudan
By Julius N. Uma
April 15, 2012 (KUAJOK) — The young people in South Sudan’s Warrap state on Saturday announced their intentions to embark on a voluntary mobilisation recruitment and sensitisation program as part of efforts to defend the country’s territorial integrity.
target all the six counties of Warrap where all ‘Gelweng’ (cattle keepers) will be required to join hands and work in collaboration with the state leadership.
The mobilisation of young people to join the army and paramilitary forces has been occurring on both sides of the Sudan-South Sudan border in recent weeks as the two countries clashed along their shared largely demarcated oil-rich border.
“Today’s youth and their entire community across the country as you all know still face several challenges, including insecurity internally and externally. As such, we view this youth initiative as a platform for them to identify these challenges and devise remedies to address them,” Morris Mabior, the initiative coordinator told a youth rally in the state capital, Kuajok.
South Sudan youth, according to the 2008 housing and population census, account for nearly 70 percent of the population.
As part of the youth drive, about 12 initiators, including 20 representatives from the organised security forces from within the state, will make frequent travels to the counties to mobilise people in at county levels.
“We believe this Warrap state youth for voluntary mobilization recruitment and sensitization will provide a unique platform for dynamic exchange of views in a series of interactive discussion sessions,” Mabior remarked.
The youth leader, however, expressed worry that the mobilisation campaign, expected to commence in a few days, could be hampered by poor security and road networks as well as the existence of land mines in some parts of the state.
Addressing the second National Liberation Council (NLC) meeting last month, South Sudan president, Salva Kiir, instructed governors from border states, including Warrap, to mobilise the members of the public in the wake of continuous aggression on South Sudan territory by Sudan Armed Forces (SAF).
Juba says that in response to an attack on by SAF on Unity State it took control of the oil-rich area of Heglig on Tuesday. Heglig like many other areas along the 1,800 kilometre border are claimed by both sides. Khartoum denies attacking South Sudan and intends to retake the area militarily.
Paul Akol, the chairman of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) youth league also urged the youth all over South Sudan to defend the nation, when called upon.
(ST)