Lakes State - Courtesy

The Press Secretary for Gok state Coordination office in Juba says organized forces based in the state have begun deployment that will see arms being removed from the hands of the civil population.

Daniel Deng Maio says the state government in collaborations with the National government has moved to take arms from the hands of mostly youth in order to advance peace and stability in Gok.

Gok state has for sometimes now experienced communal violence.

Last month, Abiriu County Commissioner, Bol Madol, told Eye Radio that some communities have been fighting in revenge of other past conflicts.

The State Minister of Education in August said six schools were closed down following communal fighting in which nine people were reportedly killed and 15 others wounded.

The affected schools included Cueibet Girls’ Primary School, Cueibet Secondary School in Cueibet.

Last week, the Presidential Advisor on Military Affairs, Daniel Awet Akot who led a peace committee to the state called for the arrest of all suspects involved in the recent inter-communal violence in Gok state.

The call came after he facilitated a five-day peace conference in the area.

In an interview with Eye Radio, the press secretary in Gok state coordination office in Juba, Daniel Deng Mario said communal fights have been restricted to some areas, and not the entire state.

He said areas of Abiriu have not experienced communal fights as have been reported.

Mr. Deng said various units of the organized forces already in the state have been deployed to begin a disarmament exercise.

“We are waiting for the national government to send more soldiers so that they disarmament takes place. The elders, chiefs will be consulted before going to the armed youth, because they are aware of those who carry arms. We believe soon Gok state shall be in peace, and move towards development,” Deng said.

Various stakeholders have often attributed the communal fights in the state to negative influence by leaders on the youth.

Deng Maria said the youth are receptive to the disarmament but often receives messages from politicians who advise them otherwise.

“Youth are willing, but they are being used as a tool by the politicians. When influenced, they don’t analyze the repercussions, but some are realizing that these are baseless fights,” he said.

Mr. Deng so a general disarmament and holding accountable perpetrators of communal violence will encourage youth from not acquiring arms, since they won’t harbor fear of attacks from any side.

“The youth have to talk in one voice and adhere to peace. They should not accept to be used for political purpose by leaders who are aggrieved. Peace should be the only slogan,” Deng added.

Gok state press secretary also denied any form of execution carried out by the state government as earlier reported by a civil society organization.

He said the communities in the state often use customary laws to resolve conflicts or disputes.