South Sudan’s army said Saturday that it has collected 3,599 illegal rifles from civilians in Gogrial State as the tense disarmament campaign continues.
The process was started in response to the state of emergency declared by President Salva Kiir after large scale clashes between rival cattle herding groups in the state.
The deputy governor of Gogrial state, Kuanying Kuanyin Agoth, said the disarmament exercise should be carried out countrywide for the sake of peace and stability.
“The proliferation of arms in the hands of civilians will affect the government itself, so we want the exercise to be carried out across the country,” he said.
He pointed out his government is working to collect all weapons in other areas in the state.
General Santino Deng Wol, commander of ground forces, said they have collected different types of rifles including AK-47, grenades, and pistols.
The top general called on the government to extend the disarmament exercise to the other states.
Police Commissioner Chol Agot said the government will exert great efforts to disarmament the civil population to ensure stability in the state.