The Minister of Information in South Sudan’s proposed Maridi state Peter Saki has announced that more than 100 Arrow Boys have returned to the area in the last month.
The term Arrow Boys is used to refer to a number of armed groups in Western Equatoria, some of which have been fighting the government.
Saki’s announcement comes after the governor of the state called for a halt to fighting between the government and the opposition as part of the efforts to persuade them to join the peace and reconciliation process in the country.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Minister Saki said the state has witnessed stability in security after the armed group listened to the call for peace and started returning to the area.
He claimed that the returned arrow boys have been integrated into the SPLA Division Four on the initiative of the governor, chiefs and religious leaders.
Saki stressed that his government is seeking to integrate all armed groups who have been fighting in Western Equatoria since 2014 so that peace and stability can be achieved in the area.
“After the formation of Maridi government it has come with initiatives to bring all armed groups who have joined the rebellion back to the state so that the situation in the state is stable,” said Saki.
Photo: ‘Arrow Boys’ in Western Equatoria in 2012, by Pulitzer Center/Trevor Snapp