SPLA recover 500 guns from civilians in Unity state
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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.
JPEG - 41 kb
Commander of the SPLA’s fourth division, Maj. Gen. James Koang Chuol,
in Unity state 25 February, 2013 (ST)
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)
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