Officials in the Jonglei State capital, Bor town, have banned local youths from carrying firearms as part of measures to foster law and order in the town.
Bor Town Mayor Samuel Ateny Pech told Radio Tamazuj on Sunday that the ban was effected last week to pacify Bor.
“The leadership of Bor Municipal Council has issued an order banning youths from coming to the town with harmful objects like guns, spears, and sticks,” Ateny said. “I am not disarming them but we are telling them to leave them when coming to the town because when youths come with them they end up fighting themselves, shooting guns into the air for no reason, scaring business people in the market.”
The town mayor pointed out that the ban will continue indefinitely and that those found in defiance will be arrested and punished accordingly.
One Bor resident, John Yieu applauded the move saying it will ensure the safety of the town dwellers.
“If they are banning carrying of a firearm in the town, it is good. It will help reduce conflicts because last month there was a day when some civilians were shooting in the air after a disagreement during a local election,” he said.
For his part, Maj. Gen. Elia Costa Faustino, the state police commissioner, said the ban will help foster security in the town.
“As the police, we began implementing the local order by impounding guns, sticks, and spears in the hands of youth in the town. The order is effective and we advised civilians to leave such tools in their houses when coming to town,” he said.