The community of Jiir Payam in Rumbek Central County voluntarily surrendered 38 illegal firearms to the government of Lakes State on Tuesday.
The chief of Jiir Payam of Rumbek Central, Sultan Lueth Marial Buoc, told Radio Tamazuj that the illegal arms were surrendered voluntarily by the owners to the chiefs but that effective December, there will be forceful disarmament.
“We have told them that whenever we get illegal firearms, we will bring them but when we reach 1 December and there are people who are resisting the voluntary disarmament it will be their responsibility,” Sultan Lueth warned. “We were three chiefs; Sultan Mamer, Der Makuer, and myself. Our cattle camps are not far away, they are here around Kaach.”
Information minister William Koji Kirjok acknowledged that the youth of Jiir Payam in Rumbek Central County voluntarily handed over their illegal firearms to the government in the presence of the governor on Tuesday.
“Since 4 November, the governor has been touring the counties and giving the messages of voluntary disarmament which is supposed to be peaceful and the responsibility has been given to local chiefs, executive directors, the Paramount chiefs, commissioners and Payam administrators,” Minister Koji said.
“We have finished with Rumbek Central County and we have gone to Rumbek East and we have finished with Rumbek North and there will be a joint meeting with Rumbek Central, Cueibet, and Rumbek North. And it was the same message and the deadline given for firearms disarmament is November.”
He said based on monthly reports they are getting, there is a massive collection of illegal firearms going on and that if there is any reported resistance from January 2022, those resisting will be disarmed by force.
Minister Koji said 37 AK-47 rifles and 1 PKM machinegun were handed over to the government in Rumbek Central County.