(TONJ) – Warrap State authorities have launched a forceful civilian disarmament campaign in the greater Tonj area following renewed outbreaks of violence and loss of life among local communities.
The State Minister of Information, Mamer Bath, confirmed that the disarmament operation began over the weekend, with the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) beginning collection of illegal arms on Sunday. The governor, Ambassador Bol Wek, ordered the operation in response to escalating insecurity, particularly among the Luachjang Akok communities, which saw several deaths, injuries, and displacements last month.
A consultative conference held in Kanap, Tonj South County, gathered local chiefs, youth leaders, and political representatives from Tonj North, Tonj East, and Tonj South counties. Its aim was to inform the public about the dangers of carrying illegal arms and to rally support for the disarmament initiative.
Bath clarified that the governor’s relocation to Tonj South was not permanent but intended to address the deteriorating security directly on the ground.
“It is a temporary measure. We relocated to the scene of the violence to better understand the crisis and act accordingly,” he told local media.
Bath emphasised that prior warnings had been issued to civilians to surrender their weapons voluntarily before any forceful collection.
“The government cannot just collect arms without telling the communities why guns are harmful. We are also working to protect the civilians in border areas with Lakes and Unity States,” he added.
Disarmament Effort Summary
| Area Covered | Key Officials Involved | Action Taken | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonj South | Governor Bol Wek, Mamer Bath | Armed forces deployed | Operation ongoing |
| Tonj East | MP Moses Madot | Support for enforcement | Chiefs partially divided |
| Tonj North | Commissioner Agany Look Agany | Incident response | Incident reported |
State lawmaker Moses Madot from Tonj East County stated that force may be necessary if youth refuse to register or hand over their weapons. He acknowledged divisions among chiefs regarding the timing of the disarmament but stressed the urgency of ending persistent violence in the area.
Commissioner Agany Look Agany of Tonj North pointed out that the disarmament was authorised by President Salva Kiir under a state of emergency decree, and local authorities were merely implementing the national directive. Agany reported a recent cattle raid in his county by armed Nuer youth, resulting in the theft of several cows and the abduction of a young boy.
Maj. Gen. Makuac Cawul, acting commissioner of police, said that military and police units, alongside judicial teams from Wau, are involved in both the recovery of arms and the investigation of apprehended individuals. He was en route to Thony, a location previously affected by intercommunal clashes.
Local voices have raised concerns about the sustainability of the disarmament efforts. Chief Deng Ayuel warned that unless accountability and proper storage of recovered weapons are enforced, the guns may eventually be returned or sold back to youth, potentially reigniting violence. He further accused military commanders of selling firearms to civilians, complicating efforts to promote peace.
On the other hand, women leaders, such as Achol Major from the Warrap State Women’s General Association, have strongly endorsed the disarmament, citing the high number of deaths linked to weapons held by civilians.
“The youth should surrender their weapons. Guns have killed many people in Tonj,” she said. “It must be forced. These armed youth do not respect the government.”
