Army to resume massive disarmament in Tonj, other parts of the country – spokesman

JUBA – South Sudan army on Tuesday said that it will resume a massive disarmament campaign in the country’s Tonj county of the Greater Bahr el Ghazal’s Warrap state, according to the acting army spokesman.

The disarmament which began in August was halted that month after a deadly fighting started between armed civilians and members of the disarmament campaign, leaving over 200 people dead including over 80 members of the organized forces.

The clash began after soldiers on the process beat at least one man to death angering his colleagues who later on started shooting at Romic Centre in Tonj East.

More than six years after a civil war broke out in the country, and in the absence of a functioning government, many communities are flush with weapons, which they keep for protection or defense against cattle raids.

Speaking to Sudans Post in an exclusive interview on Tuesday, Brigadier General Santo Domic Chol, Acting South Sudan People’ Defense Force (SSPDF) spokesman, said that the country’ disarmament in Tonj and South Sudan in general which was halted following the August fighting will resume soon.

“What has actually led to all these things was just the matter of misunderstanding, but there was nothing like hostility between the army, and the people. But the disarmament is going to resume soon,” Dominic said.

“We are still trying to reorganize, and involve the opinion of leaders within the communities of Tonj, and maybe the members of assembly so that they correct that misunderstanding between the army and civilians,” he said.