Warrap state: Over 300 youth mobilise in support of SPLA forces

By Julius N. Uma

April 17, 2012 (AWEIL) – Over 300 youths from Gogrial West County in South Sudan’s Warrap State on Tuesday voluntarily registered and embarked on training as part of the public campaign to mobilise support for South Sudan’s national army (SPLA), officials told Sudan Tribune.

The recruitment 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 largely demarcated oil-rich border.

Morris Mabior, the initiative coordinator for Warrap State’s mobilisation program said several centres have been established in within the state to oversee the ongoing voluntary registration process.

“As you may be aware, our governor called for the establishment of three committees to assist in mobilising people against insecurity, food and economic crisis and the people of Warrap are positively responding to this call,” Mabior told Sudan Tribune by phone.

Those recruited, he said, will be taken to Northern Bahr el Ghazal state and trained to provide the necessary services to the country, when called upon.

On Saturday, Warrap state Governor, Nyandeng Malek, told members of the south ruling party to begin mobilizing the people in the wake on escalating tension between Sudan and South Sudan. Analysts fear the situation between the two could trigger a full blown war.

Nyandeng also directed the immediate establishment of a media, women and youth committee within the state as part of efforts to enhance public mobilization.

(ST)