Authorities in Tambura County of South Sudan’s Western Equatoria State have set up a joint security force to protect civilians and combat crime.

The move comes a week after two houses were set ablaze by unknown people at night in the area.

Col. Edward Gbaki, the police director in Tambura County, told Radio Tamazuj on Thursday that the joint security force will beef up security and crackdown on the criminals.

He revealed that the join force comprises of Police, National Security Service, Prison, Wildlife, South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In-Opposition (SPLA-IO).

 “The joint force is working and the security situation is good now, “Edward Ggaki said. “Anything can happen but we are here to find solutions administratively, so all the crimes and other problems are now under control.”

Meanwhile, several residents of Tambura County welcomed the decision taken by the government to conduct night patrols to prevent criminals from attacking citizens.

Charles Ugali, a resident of Tambura County, said: “It is good that there are people who protect us from criminals so that we can be safe. It is a good move to deploy a security force to monitor the situation.”

Jully Kumbo, another resident of Tambura, called on the joint force not to harass those who move at night such as sick people and those who go to attend funerals.

The partners in the September 2018 peace agreement are yet to unify and deploy armed forces.  Disputes between the various peace partners and financial constraints have been major obstacles to the implementation of the security sector reforms.