More than 600 illegal firearms have been peacefully handed over to the government of Lakes State, officials say.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Friday during a cattle migration pre-dialogue conference in Pacong Payam organized by Peacebuilding Opportunities Fund (POF), the governor of Lakes State Makur Kulang Liei said the government had received 619 illegal firearms and six hand grenades from the people.
Kulang said this is the third phase of peaceful and voluntary disarmament. He pointed out that the defunct Gok state of Cueibet county has only surrendered 144 illegal firearms.
While he was impressed by the exercise in Aliamatoc 1 and 2, Yirol West and East Counties of Lakes State, governor Kulang said the people of Rumbek North have not been cooperative.
"Only 60 illegal firearms were collected from Rumbek North county," he said.
He urges POF and UNMISS civil affairs division (CAD) to continue with the peace efforts and reconciliation of communities in Lakes State. He also appealed to the cattle keepers to leave behind their guns before they begin the movement to Lolmanyiel Toch wetlands for grazing.
"It is totally prohibited by the government of Lakes State to allow cattle keepers to move to Toch wetlands for grazing with guns and this is our responsibility," he added.
However, the UNMISS civil affairs officer Benjamin Makur Mabor Yuol expressed his organization commitments to make peace and reconciliation in Lakes State.
However, the Paramount chief of the Kok community of Aliamatoc 1 Awet Majak Malok urged the government of Lakes State to deploy SSPDF forces before the cattle migration to Toch wetlands for grazing when floods subside.
He warned of possible clashes between the Gony and Thucyic communities whom he says are not willing to reconcile.
"These two communities of Gony and Thucyic have not surrendered their guns, and this indicates that they are not willing to reconcile with one another. Soon when cattle move closer to each other they will fight before they reached Lolmanyiel wetlands for grazing," he warned.
The leaders all reiterated the need to peacefully coexist and peaceful resolution of conflicts in the region.