Aleu Ayieny Aleu, Governor, Warrap State. Photo: Curtesy

The governor of Warrap has announced that his administration will carry-out yet again another phase of disarmament exercise scheduled to commence soon.

According to Gen. Aleu Ayieny the exercise will kick-start in all the counties of the state aimed at combating persistent inter-communal fighting and cattle raiding in the area.

In July 2020, the SSPDF launched the process of removing guns from the hands of civilians in Tonj North County.

It also targeted armed civilians in Lakes, Terekeka, Warrap and Jonglei areas.

But the process was suspended after armed youth clashed with the disarmament unit in Luanyjang area.

The intense fighting resulted in the death of over 120 soldiers and civilians.

Others were killed in Luanyjang County while some died when armed youth attacked military outposts in Romic at night.

Addressing the disarmament taskforce in Thiet Payam of Tonj South County on Monday, Aleu directed the soldiers to respect their mandate and deal with any civilian who attempt to resist being disarmed.

“We need to remove guns from the hands of every civilian so that if they want to fight, let them fight using their hands. Any civilian resisting disarmament, a soldier has the right to defend him or herself, if they refuse to hand over their guns fight them”, Aleu Ayieny spoke on Monday in Tonj South County.

He also encouraged the disarmament taskforce to exhibit the spirit of the liberation struggle that brought independence while disarming civilian.

Aleu however, did not elaborate on the liberation spirit he referred to.