Last June, President Salva Kiir declared a six-month state of emergency in Warrap State and Mayom County of Unity State, citing escalating insecurity and rising communal violence.

By James Chatim

Authorities in Warrap State said on Thursday that they are continuing with the peaceful disarmament in the area, with some youth complying with the exercise.

Warrap State Information Minister Mamer Bath Marol revealed that since President Salva Kiir declared a state of emergency in both Warrap State and Mayom County of Unity State, the disarmament has been taking place simultaneously.

He said civilians are cooperating without any fear of attacks from other neighboring areas.

In an exclusive interview with The City Review on Thursday, Minister Bath said the state government is working closely with locals while disseminating awareness on the risks of possessing illegal arms.

He further explained that the peaceful disarmament was going well as state government put protective measures in place. Those who will not comply with the orders, he said, will face the law.

“Disarmament is going on well. We are actually beginning with the peaceful disarmament where we consult the grassroots levels. Then we make them aware of the dangers of the weapon that they are carrying,” said the Minister.

“And then some of them complied and put down the guns. Meanwhile, we are now mobilizing them to surrender their weapons peacefully. If they will resist, or fail to comply with that, then the government will now remove or disarm them by force, whether they like it or not,” he said.

“The government put down the protective measures. As we are aware, the state of emergency was declared by the president. So, disarmament is now going to be uniform,” he concluded.

Last June, President Salva Kiir declared a six-month state of emergency in Warrap State and Mayom County of Unity State, citing escalating insecurity and rising communal violence.

The announcement, made through a series of presidential decrees broadcast on state-run South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), allows for the deployment of additional security forces and authorizes the government to take all necessary measures to restore order in the affected regions.

The declaration follows a surge in deadly intercommunal clashes, particularly in Tonj East County of Warrap, where numbers of civilians were killed.

In Mayom County, authorities reported cross-border cattle raids by armed youth from neighboring Warrap State.

Insecurity in Warrap and Mayom County is fueled by a combination of factors including inter-communal conflict, cattle raiding, disputes over land and water resources, and the proliferation of small arms. These issues are reportedly often exacerbated by political tensions and a weak justice system, leading to cycles of violence and displacement.