South Sudan asks AU to help in disarming civilians amid escalating violence

JUBA – South Sudan government has appealed to the continental body, the African Union (AU), to help in carrying out disarmament civilians in the country amid escalation of violence in most parts of the world’s youngest nation.

This comes after thousands of armed youths from Jonglei State crossed to the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) attacking civilians and clashing with the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) which has since withdrew from its headquarters in Gumuruk town.

Ambassador James Morgan Pitia, South Sudan Permanent Head of Mission to Ethiopia, Africa Union, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, and IGAD, said he has requested the African Union to help his government in disarming civilians.

“Here in the African Union, we requested the department of peace and security to assist our government on the issue of disarmament but there was no follow-up even though our request was approved in 2020,” South Sudan ambassador to Ethiopia Pitia Morgan said, according to Eye Radio.

“When the war ended in Liberia and Sierra Leone, the African Union Peace and Security Council came in and supported the government to disarm the civilians. The disarmament of civilians is not something that is new in this country,” he added.

He said “it is the African Union to come in, the security force could be used to disarm the people because we know that our civilians say they bought these guns with their money.

“There was a mechanism for refunding the civilians. They should send their guns back to the African Union, so the African Union can collect these guns together with the government of South Sudan,” he added.