The lack of laws which controls the sale of small arms and light weapons has contributed to the proliferation of arms in the country, according to the Bureau for Community Security and Small Arms Control.
Recently, the London-based Guardian Newspaper and the South Sudan Action Network on Small Arms, reported that 3 million small arms are floating around South Sudan
“We cannot pinpoint exactly where arms trade is taking place in South Sudan,” the Director for the Bureau, Retired Brigadier-General, Christo Simon Fataki, told Eye Radio.
“Although the exact numbers are not available, the rough estimate of 2007 indicated that there are between 1.9 to 3.2 million small arms circulating in South Sudan – of which two thirds are outside government control or in the hands of civilians,” he said.
“It is very difficult to say how many weapons are in Central Equatoria state because the weapons are everywhere in South Sudan. What we know is that there is a proliferation and illicit trade in small arms.”
Meanwhile, Hon. Vincent Kojo, the Security Advisor to the Governor of Central Equatoria State, says civilians are not allowed to possess weapons.
He said any civilians found in possession of illegal weapons will be apprehended.
South Sudan has no legislation which controls the sale of small arms and light weapons.
Arms proliferation has contributed to insecurity in South Sudan, including cattle raiding and armed robbery.