S. Sudan and its partners initiate gun-free campaign

November 16, 2013 (JUBA) – South Sudan government and scores of its development partners on Friday initiated a ‘Community Security Caravan’; an initiative which
sensitizes civilians on the dangers of misusing small arms and light weapons.

The Caravan is a joint initiative by the Bureau for Community Security and Small Arms Control (CSSAC) and UNDP’s Community Security and Arms Control (CSAC) project, implemented with financial support from European Union, Japan government and the UK Department for International Development (DIFID).

Over the next three months, the drama actors of the Caravan will stage 20 lively shows in the first three states, beginning with Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria, and Lakes state.

“The Caravan will target remote conflict-prone areas to deliver carefully-crafted messages designed to promote a gun-free culture in South Sudan”, a statement extended to Sudan Tribune reads in part.

The Caravan initiative, which was first launched on 22 March, 2013, seeks to complement a series of interactive radio programmes that earlier sought to dissuade civilians from acquiring arms as well as encourage those who already owned arms to peacefully surrender them to the police.

“Disarming the minds of communities is the responsibility of all of us, government, development partners, traditional authorities, religious leaders, and civil society organisations”, said Riak Majok, the acting head of CSSAC.

He urged well-wishers and development partners to “invest heavily” in this community sensitisation programme, saying, “It is the sure way for forging a better future for this country and its people”.

At the launch were epresentatives from diplomatic missions of the EU, Japan, Canada, the U.S, Netherlands, as well as international non-governmental entities.

“UNDP supports the government’s current emphasis on attaining community peace and security”, said Mulegeta Abebe, UNDP Deputy Director (Operations).

“[Government] should do even more so that the citizens of this country can peacefully engage in agriculture, education, and trade to lift themselves out of poverty”, he stressed.

(ST).