The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) on Tuesday dispatched heavily armed troops to Wau County in Western Bahr el Ghazal State to carry out a disarmament exercise as ordered by President Salva Kiir a few months ago.
According to Major General Wol Dhel Theip, the SSPDF’s Fifth Infantry Division Deputy Commander, a state of emergency will be declared concurrently with the operation to disarm civilians carrying illegal firearms.
“The six-month state of emergency is a presidential directive, and it will be implemented in the four states of Western Bahr el Ghazal, Warrap, Lakes and Unity,” Gen. Dhel stated. “Those holding guns are criminals because there are no opposition forces in the state, and security forces have the right to collect illegal guns from them.”
He warned that if they fail to surrender the guns, the SSPDF will deal with them without lenience.
“Those who are carrying illegal guns and looting people’s properties are the ones our disarmament teams are targeting,” Gen. Dhel said.
He urged people in possession of illegal firearms to hand them to chiefs or the police, saying those who do not will be dealt with.
“Guns are dangerous to citizens and to elections; those who take people’s things are using illegal guns, which is why the state of emergency is targeting them,” he stated.
The disarmament operation is expected to improve security in Wau and pave the way for peaceful elections. Authorities have urged citizens to cooperate and remain calm during the exercise.
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