South Sudan’s military sets deadline for voluntary disarmament in conflict zones
SSPDF spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang announced the one-week disarmament ultimatum in a statement to newsrooms on Monday, noting that military personnel have already been deployed to the two states.
The South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF) has ordered armed youth in Warrap State and Mayom County of Unity State to voluntarily surrender their weapons within the next week, lest they be disarmed forcibly.
The development comes amid a recent six-month state of emergency declared in the two states by President Salva Kiir due to rising cases of violent communal clashes in the areas.
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The presidential decree, announced by the state-run South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) on June 5, allows the South Sudanese government to deploy extra security forces and take all necessary actions to restore peace in the affected areas.
SSPDF spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang announced the one-week disarmament ultimatum in a statement to newsrooms on Monday, noting that military personnel have already been deployed to the two states.
"In line with immediate enforcement of presidential decree on the declaration of state of emergency for six months in Warrap State and Mayom County of Unity State, SSPDF command would like to announce the arrival of forces tasked with responsibility of conducting two types of disarmament, voluntary and forceful," the statement seen by the Eastleigh Voice reads.
"All armed youth in Warrap State and Mayom County Unity State are given a grace period of one week to voluntarily start handing over their weapons to civilian authorities and SSPDF forces conducting disarmament."
Once the one-week period expires, General Ruai said the military will forcibly disarm armed civilians in the two states.
He added that failure to comply with the disarmament directive would lead to the enforcement of strict and punitive measures against those who refuse to surrender their weapons.
"Upon the elapse of the one week grace period, SSPDF forces will launch coordinated and simultaneous forceful disarmament exercises," he said.
"Forces on disarmament are operating under laws contained in the presidential decree on the declaration of a state of emergency. All armed youth are requested to comply with the presidential decree."
The SSPDF has since urged community leaders to encourage youth to peacefully surrender their weapons, warning that resistance could cause conflict and instability.
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