The SPLA Chief of Staff has announced that more than ten thousand arms have been collected from unauthorized individuals.

Speaking during the commemoration of Martyrs’ Day, Lieutenant General James Hoth Mai said the weapons were collected in the areas of Jonglei, Unity, Lakes and Warrap State.

“The disarmament exercise shall continue in order to relief the population of South Sudan from devastating effect of small arms,” he said.

Lieutenant General Hoth also said that the SPLA has enlisted over 5000 new members from disbanded rebel militias, such as those led by Bapiny Mantuel and Johnson Olnoy.

“The militia fighters headed by David Yau Yau still remain active, particularly in Pibor County,” he said. “The SPLA forces shall continue to pursue them to accept amnesty and very soon Yau Yau will join us.”

Lieutenant General Hoth went on to deny allegations by Sudan that the SPLA is giving military support to its rebels.

“From our understanding these accusations are just distractions and have been used as a pretext to undermine the progress of implementing the agreement instead of seeking a clear understanding of what is actually happening on the ground,” he said. “Unlike the accusations leveled at the SPLA, there is evidence providing beyond a reasonable doubt that Government of Khartoum has been arming facilitating and financing insurgent group in South Sudan.”