Over 1000 guns voluntarily surrendered to Gov’t
The government of Warrap State has received hundreds of guns, some high calibre machines, from members of the public.
Governor Lt Gen Aleu Ayieny Aleu received an unknown number of guns as civilians come forth to voluntarily surrender the guns in their possession.
“It happened today, the governor went to Warrap town, the headquarters of Tonj North County to verify and check how disarmament is going. It is voluntary disarmament,” said Warrap State Minister for Information, Ring Deng Ading.
Ading said that guns were voluntarily surrendered by civilians to the state government.
Strides on disarmament
The move came at a time when the government said that mulling the idea of buying guns from civilians as part of the disarmament process, especially, if the UN Security Council extended South Sudan’s arm’s embargo.
In March 2022, governor Aleu announced another round of disarmament to curb inter-communal conflict and cattle rustling, according to a report published by Eye Radio.
The governor while addressing the disarmament task force in Thiet Payam of Tonj South County, directed soldiers to adhere to their mandate by dealing with any resistance from civilians.
“We need to remove guns from the hands of every civilian so that if they want to fight, let them fight using their hands. Any civilian resisting disarmament, a soldier has the right to defend him or herself, if they refuse to hand over their guns fight them,” Aleu stated.
Last month, at least 37 guns were surrendered by armed youth in Tonj East County of Warrap State, according to County Commissioner, John Deng Kok.
Earlier, Ading, noted that their government had launched disarmament in Tonj East, Tonj North and Tonj South Counties.
The commissioner of Tonj East County commended the disarmament exercise for being fruitful and taking shape.
Warrap state had been involved in clashes with the people of Abyei over the ownership of Aneet/Agok town.
In March 2022, President Salva Kiir Mayardit formed a high-level committee to investigate the matter so that further conflicts might not ensue in the future.
