The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces have issued a one-week ultimatum for armed youth in Warrap State and Mayom County to voluntarily surrender weapons, following a presidential declaration of a state of emergency. Major General Lul Ruai Koang urged compliance, warning of forceful disarmament if the deadline is not met. Community leaders are called to encourage peaceful disarmament to prevent further violence.
In a significant move aimed at addressing escalating violence, the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) have set a deadline for voluntary disarmament in Warrap State and Mayom County of Unity State. Major General Lul Ruai Koang, spokesperson for the SSPDF, announced on Monday that armed youth in these regions must surrender their weapons within a week or face forced disarmament. The urgency is underscored by a six-month state of emergency declared by President Salva Kiir, which highlights growing communal clashes in the area.
The presidential decree, which was publicized on the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) on June 5, allows the government to bolster security in affected regions. With military deployment already underway, General Lul confirmed that the SSPDF is prepared to execute two types of disarmament initiatives, one being voluntary and the other forceful. The aim is to restore order and mitigate violence.
In the announcement, General Ruai emphasized the importance of cooperation from the local community, stating, “All armed youth in Warrap State and Mayom County Unity State are given a grace period of one week to voluntarily start handing over their weapons to civilian authorities and SSPDF forces conducting disarmament.” He warned that if individuals do not comply by the deadline, they will face punitive measures and coordinated military action.
“Upon the elapse of the one week grace period, SSPDF forces will launch coordinated and simultaneous forceful disarmament exercises,” he warned. Authorities are hoping to achieve compliance without conflict, urging community leaders to encourage youth to surrender their arms peacefully, as resistance could further complicate an already tense situation.
The SSPDF’s aggressive stance reflects the urgent need for stability in South Sudan, particularly amid reports of rising tensions due to conflict spillover effects from neighboring Sudan. The military’s actions will also draw scrutiny from international observers as South Sudan has faced criticism over its governance and security measures. More broadly, the international community continues to monitor developments, with the UN Security Council’s recent extension of an arms embargo underscoring ongoing concerns about violence in the region.
The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces have initiated a one-week voluntary disarmament period for armed youth in specific regions, with threats of forceful measures if compliance is not observed. This proactive step follows a presidential declaration of emergency aimed at stabilizing areas impacted by violence. With the military’s focus on peaceful disarmament, community leaders are urged to play a pivotal role in promoting cooperation to avoid escalation. The situation remains precarious as South Sudan grapples with its complex security challenges.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
