Authorities in South Sudan’s Warrap state have collected over 200 firearms from a Gelweng militia in Aguok centre.
A minister of the proposed Gogrial state Adior Kuol Amum said the disarmament exercise took place following a visit by deputy governor Santino Akot Abem.
“This indicates the youth are ready for peace because they will be one enjoys fruit of peace,” Adior said.
The move is in line with peace resolutions signed in May between the Aguok and Apuk communities to disarm their militia as a way to prevent violence.
Traffic police urged against roadblocks
Meanwhile, the director of traffic police in the proposed Gogrial state cautioned his officers against setting up illegal checkpoints on highways to remand drivers alleged to have violated the traffic rules and regulations.
Mayiik Agoth said that traffic officers are not allowed to have offices but should deal with offending drivers wherever they stop them along the roadways.
“Your work is on the road and it does not require office or road block. You just stand there on any road and stop the vehicles and check the drivers and vehicle papers and if there is anything wrong thing then you finish [with] him or her on the road without going to any office and don’t delay vehicles,” said Mayiik.
However, Mayiik also said that drivers who don’t give way to the governor or to ambulances will be arrested and taken to traffic office for violating traffic rules.
He said unauthorized checkpoints on the roads are sometimes use by other organized forces to collect money from drivers.
Sperately, Mayiik called on vehicle owners to obtain new national license plates for their vehicles before the end of July.
“The old number plates have been cancelled and we have new plates now in our office. Therefore I urge anybody who has a vehicle to come to traffic office before the deadline and before we crack down on you because there are some penalties if you wait for us to catch you,” he explained.