Some of displaced civilians from Gondokoro in Juba County following disarmament exercise in the area -Credit: Madrama James/Eye Radio

The Commissioner of Juba County has condemned the displacement of the local population in Gondokoro in an ongoing disarmament exercise in the area.

Commissioner Charles Joseph Wani has acknowledged that the disarmament exercise is a government policy.

But forces carrying out the exercise have overstepped their mandate by arresting chiefs and harassing civilians.

Commissioner Wani spoke as he visited the displaced persons who have camped along the riverside in Juba earlier today.

“As the commissioner of Juba, I monitor every development on the ongoing disarmament process that has started herein in the city and now reaching corners of Juba, Government policy was to disarm the civil population,” Commissioner Wani said.

“This is politics because we want security but what happened in my area in part of Bari especially Gondokoro, I condemn it in the strongest terms possible, because the person spearheading the disarmament exercise has failed to implement government policy,” he said.

“I’m appealing to the President of the Republic and all the relevant authorities to release those who were arrested to celebrate the remaining festive season with their family.

Joseph Wani is appealing to state and national governments to launch an investigation into the incidents.

“I’m not happy as a Juba County Commissioner with all that has happened. Therefore, am appealing to the President and Governor of Central Equatoria State to launch an investigation against the army commander deployed in Gondokoro Payam,” Wani said.

“This is to ascertain details of his activities against the civilian population of South Sudan residing in Juba County,” he said.

“The initial policy was very clear, disarmament only but not to beat, harass, and forcefully confiscate their properties. But the commander took laws into his own hands.

“Children are been beaten, women are being assaulted, and unlawful detentions of youth and chiefs, are unwanted. Therefore, we want the government to intervene and investigate these matters.”

The army has yet to comment on the matter.