Civil society groups in Western Bahr el Ghazal State have urged the government to monitor security forces conducting a disarmament operation in Wau County following reports of looting and concerns over civilian safety.
The Network of Civil Society Organizations in the state called on the government and disarmament committee to hold soldiers accountable for misconduct, including the alleged theft of residents’ property during the operation.
Stephen Robo Musa, regional coordinator of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) and a member of the network, told Radio Tamazuj that soldiers found abusing their authority should face legal action.
“For soldiers who go into the disarmament process to gain personal things, let the law take its course, because the aim of disarmament is to create a conducive environment for citizens to live in peace,” he said.
Robo Musa said the network supported peaceful disarmament, arguing that the proliferation of illegal firearms among civilians threatened public safety and contributed to insecurity.
He called for the exercise to be extended beyond Wau County to other parts of the state.
“The process of disarmament is a good move, but it should not be only in Wau County. We need this process to be done in all parts of the state, not limited to Wau County. We need South Sudan to be free from illegal guns,” he said.
He said the government must guarantee civilian protection for disarmament to achieve its intended purpose.
“But if they are not able to give full protection to the citizens, the process of disarmament will be meaningless,” he said.
Wau County experienced a disarmament operation last week under a state of emergency declared by President Salva Kiir. The commander overseeing the operation said the emergency measures would last six months.
The Paramount Chief of Greater Bagari Payam reported looting during the operation, saying hospitals had been looted and furniture and a solar power system had been taken from a court.
Examination concerns
Robo Musa also warned that insecurity linked to the operation could affect pupils preparing to sit their Primary Eight examinations, scheduled to begin on Monday.
He urged the state Ministry of Education to assess examination centres in Wau County and ensure they are safe for candidates.
“Some of the pupils have filled their forms and are waiting for the exams. Let the Ministry of Education assess the environment of the examination centres in Wau County because the current disarmament has caused fear among the pupils,” he said.
He called for candidates to be moved to examination centres within Wau Municipality if their designated venues are considered unsafe.
“If the State Ministry of Education finds out that the area is not able to host the exams, let them relocate the students to within Wau Municipality,” he said.
Robo Musa urged the examinations committee to ensure that all venues are secure before the examinations began, warning that pupils had only a few hours remaining to prepare for the tests.
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