Good turn out in Unity state disarmament campaign ArticleComments (3). Email PrintSave --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Bonifacio Taban Kuich October 14, 2011 (JUBA) - A peaceful disarmament campaign that has been going for two weeks on in Payinjiar County of Unity state is being conducted peacefully and has had a good turnout, commissioner Peter Gai Joak told Sudan Tribune on Friday. The disarmament came as the result of threat on cattle raiding between the Lakes and Unity State within the South Sudan. Joak said that the involvement of local chiefs had been essential process and to ensure that civilians handed over their weapons voluntarily. Before Unity the disarmament campaign was carried out neighboring Warrap and Lake States. Joak added that even though they heard that some Lakes State citizens were resistant to the disarmament process, "we will still carryout work in Unity State as peaceful way and we will make sure guns present among the civilians are both threats to the government and within the communities." The commissioner promised “proper protection to all citizens in the county [...] if everyone hands over their guns peacefully”. The disarmament is being carried out by South Sudan’s Army (SPLA) and police alongside local chiefs. Joak added that after this disarmament he is going to make sure SPLA and Police are deployed within his county to give protection to civilians and their properties. Earlier last year bandits launched an attack on Puomlual and Pachar districts of Payinjiar County, that resulted in five deaths and over 7,000 head of cattle stolen. So far the government’s from both state have failed to return the cattle to the owners. The government of new republic of South Sudan needs to address the issues of cattle rustling and child abduction which are common especially in Jonglei and other states. (ST) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/SouthSudanKob?hl=en.
