SPLA recover 500 guns from civilians in Unity state

By Bonifacio Taban Kuich

June 12, 2013 (JUBA) – Over 500 illegal fires arms have been collected over the last week from civilians in Unity state’s Koch, Rubkotna and Mayom counties, according to the military.

The commander of the fourth division of South Sudan’s army – the SPLA – Maj. Gen. James Koang Chuol, told Sudan Tribune on Wednesday that the disarmament exercise was ordered by governor Taban Deng Gai to address the deteriorating security situation in the three counties.

Over 22 people were killed in mid-May in a number of cattle raids and retaliatory violence between Koch and Mayom, as well as Abiemnom and Mayom counties, forcing the government to take action, Chuol said.

Chuol denied claims that some elements of the SPLA had illegally supplied ammunition to civilians in the areas concerned.

The head of South Sudan’s army in Unity state said that the conflict between the SPLA and the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) over the disputed Heglig/Panthou border region last year had resulted in a power “vacuum”, which had created opportunities for civilians to acquire illegal firearms.

Following the murder of eight police officers in Koch county last month, Unity state’s deputy governor, Michael Chiengjiek Geay, said that disarmament was needed to stop internal and cross-border cattle rustling.

The officers were shot while trying to prevent clashes escalating between the Bul Nuer and Jageay Nuer ethnic groups.

“The ongoing disarmament in three Unity state counties was a peaceful and forceful disarmament”, Chuol told Sudan Tribune, while also praising the cooperation of local chiefs.

The fourth commander asked the public to remain peaceful so that the army can gather unauthorised weapons.

“It is very clear to them that they must be disarmed, even guns are a threat to them and their neighbouring communities, not even to [the] government and that is why we are moving hand in hand to pull out illegal arms with them”, said Chuol.

He said the army in Unity state continued to work with their colleagues in Warrap and Lakes states to prevent cross-border raids and confiscate arms from civilians.

He assured the public that after the disarmament the SPLA would remain in villages and along county and state borders to ensure livestock was protected from thieves.

(ST)