SSPDF  to use all options including force to disarm Gelweng militia – spokesman

JUBA – South Sudan army has said that it will use all options available, including force, to disarm Gelweng youth in Lakes and Warrap states where inter-communal violence is escalating, according to its spokesman Major-General Lul Ruai Koang.

In August, efforts by the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) to disarmed civilians in Tonj of the country’s Warrap state turned violence, killing around 200 people including members of the army.

Due to concerns that the violence between the army and civilians may escalate, the army decided to temporary suspend the process.

General Lul said the army is not happy over the continued violence which he said is a very great concern to both the government and the people of South Sudan.

The senior army officer said the army is preparing to restart the process, either by force or through peaceful mean.

“It is sad that the inter-communal clashes are getting brutal day by day to an extent that even women are being killed in a revenge attack,” Lul state.

“It is a matter of time before we succeed in collection of arms, whether through the voluntary process or forceful disarmament,” he added.

Local official calls for forceful disarmament

State government officials in Rumbek and Kuajok have also expressed concerns over the increasing death caused by the inter-communal violence, and have appealed to the government in Juba to find way to make sure that arms are not left in civilians’ hands.

Former Secretary-General of the defunct Gok state, Santino Ater Amon, said a forceful disarmament is crucial to prevent further bloodshed in the Bahr el Ghazal region states which are witnessing further violence.

“When they heard disarmament is taking place, they resorted to more violence. They want to avenge before their guns are taken from them,” Ater was quoted as saying by the Juba-based Eye Radio on Thursday.

“So, the best option is that forceful disarmament takes place immediately,” added the former state government official.