The Minister of Information in Warrap State, Mamer Bath, on Monday said Governor Amb. Bol Wek has ordered the commencement of forceful disarmament of civilians in the greater Tonj area over the weekend.
Authorities had given an ultimatum for people holding illegal weapons to hand them in.
A consultative conference, which began on Friday, brought together chiefs, youth, and politicians from Tonj North, Tonj East, and Tonj South counties to educate the community about the disarmament exercise.
Last month, many lives were lost during violent conflict between the Luachjang Akok communities. Many others sustained injuries, while large sections were displaced, exposing children and the elderly to the harsh conditions.
Minister Bath told Radio Tamazuj on Monday that the disarmament exercise was launched over the weekend, and the army started their work on Sunday. He said the governor’s office has been relocated to Tonj South County in the meantime.
“The governor’s office was not relocated. I stated it very clearly in several interviews, and you should also be clear about it. It is just a temporary relocation because we moved there to address some issues related to the deteriorating security situation,” he stated. “That is why we decided to come to the scenes of violence in greater Tonj. We want to solve communal violence once and for all. That is why the governor declared disarmament in the town of Kanap, Tonj South, after consultation with chiefs, intellectuals, and the youth groups.”
“Disarmament delayed as a request from the governor to inform grassroots people about the consequences of forceful disarmament,” Bath added.
He said the government cannot collect guns from armed youths without first informing them about the dangers of carrying illegal guns. He added that the government will protect civilians and their properties along the borders with Lakes State and Mayom County in Unity State.
For his part, Moses Madot, a member of the Warrap State Legislative Assembly representing Tonj East County, said disarmament is the only solution to end violence in the area.
“Some chiefs slightly differed on when the exercise should start, with some asking for a week before the launch of the operation while others said the government has been talking to them for years,” he said. “So, we go for chiefs who are saying the armed youth should go to the payam headquarters for registration, and if they reject, then force will be applied. This is also my view because a lot of deadly violence has occurred in my payam over the years.”
Meanwhile, Agany Look Agany, the Tonj North County commissioner, said there will be no negotiations with armed youth, as the president already declared a state of emergency in Warrap State.
“It is not the governor declaring the disarmament. President Salva Kiir declared it when he instituted the state of emergency, and we are just implementing agents,” he said. “I have just arrived in my county and got another incident last night in which numerous cattle were raided by Nuer armed youth. I am now driving 35 rescued cows to their owners in the Leer area. Fortunately, nobody was killed or injured, but the raiders took one boy with them.”
Maj. Gen. Makuac Cawul, the acting commissioner of police in Warrap State, said he and a force were on their way to Thony, an area where fighting took place last month.
I am with chiefs and one of the generals who came from Juba, and our purpose is to create awareness among the people about the disarmament exercise that has been launched,” he stated. “The military forces are responsible for disarmament, and our role is to investigate the youth who are apprehended. We will work with judges from Wau during this operation.”
For his part, Chief Deng Ayuel of Tonj North said illegal guns, even if collected, will return to the youth if they are not handled strictly.
“I want the disarmament exercise to end the cycle of violence. However, these commanders will return the guns to the youth because they are not kept well, and this will cause another fight,” he said. “Also, the military leaders sell guns to youth, and alternative methods have to be used.”
Achol Major, a member of the Warrap State Women’s General Association, welcomed and supported the military action, saying that guns in the hands of civilians frequently led to the loss of lives.
“My opinion is that the SSPDF must collect guns and the youth should put guns down because guns have killed many people in Tonj,” she said. “It must be forced because armed youth do not respect the government.”