The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) on Monday gave armed civilians in Warrap state and Mayom County of Unity state one week to voluntarily surrender their firearms or face forced disarmament. The move has raised concerns among civil society members who fear the operation could escalate violence.
The ultimatum follows President Salva Kiir’s declaration of a six-month state of emergency in Warrap and Mayom, citing rising insecurity.
Under the emergency measures, security forces gain expanded powers, including warrantless searches, curfews, and detentions without charge.
Speaking at the army headquarters in Juba, SSPDF spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang said troops had already deployed to conduct both voluntary and forced disarmament.
“In line with the immediate enforcement of the presidential decree declaring a state of emergency in Warrap State and Mayom County, the SSPDF command announces the arrival of forces tasked with conducting two types of disarmament,” he said.
He warned armed youth to comply or face “harsh and punitive measures.”
“All armed youth in Warrap State and Mayom County are given a grace period of one week to voluntarily hand over their weapons,” Lul said. “If they fail, we will launch coordinated and simultaneous forceful disarmament.”
Warrap, Kiir’s home state, has seen recurring violence, including revenge attacks in Gogrial, Twic, and Tonj counties. Recent clashes in Tonj East killed several civilians, while Mayom youth have crossed into Warrap for cattle raids.
Last week, military airstrikes targeted raiders in Gogrial and Mayom.
Lul said the operation, authorized under the emergency decree, aims to curb intercommunal violence. He urged community leaders to promote peaceful compliance.
“The SSPDF appeals to local communities and traditional leaders to support this initiative by encouraging youth to surrender arms peacefully,” he said.
SSPDF Recruitment and Checkpoints
Lul also announced plans to recruit 3,000 soldiers into the national army and 1,000 for peacekeeping missions. Applicants must be South Sudanese, aged 18-35, with a secondary school certificate and in good physical and mental health.
Additionally, the SSPDF ordered the removal of illegal checkpoints in Greater Bahr el Ghazal, where they had resurfaced after a December 2024 crackdown.
Civil Society Concerns
Ter Manyang Gatwech, a civil society activist and executive director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy, criticized the disarmament plan, arguing it could worsen tensions.
“Disarmament is not the best solution. There should be consultations with stakeholders—local chiefs, religious leaders, women, youth—to address root causes,” he said. “I’m deeply concerned this will lead to resistance and more violence.”
A 2020 disarmament campaign in Tonj East was halted after clashes killed over 127 people, including 82 security personnel. Violence erupted after soldiers beat a man to death, sparking retaliatory attacks.
Since South Sudan’s civil war, many communities remain heavily armed for self-defense or cattle raids, complicating peace efforts.