The spokesperson of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) on Wednesday revealed that poor management and control of firearms in South Sudan is a result of inadequate storage facilities across the country.
Maj. Gen Lul Ruai Koang was responding to questions from Journalists about the proliferation of illegal firearms in the country and said that the firearm storage facilities in South Sudan are not enough to accommodate the guns, saying this has forced some soldiers to keep their guns at home.
He added that when South Sudan gained independence in 2011, it inherited only three storage facilities located in Juba, Wau, and Malakal.
“In our situation, we do not have enough historic facilities because the storage facilities that were built during the time of Sudan were just for division size. Greater equatorial, with its headquarters in Juba, Greater Bahr el Gazal with its headquarters in Wau, and Malakal in Upper Nile” he said. “When we attained our independence, sadly, we have not been embarking on construction of enough storage facilities and accommodation for servicemen and our number is huge.”
Gen. Ruai said this has proved a big problem in controlling firearms in the hands of the soldiers.
“In some situations, we have some guns in the barracks, then in some situations, we have journeying servicemen at their homes with their riffles. So, when there is a problem, if the security personnel are not responsible enough, they will get involved in random shootings,” he stated. “They (soldiers) get involved in other malpractices. This is where we find it very difficult to control random shooting. But I think you should also say thank you. When we first came in 19 years ago, whenever there was a public holiday or occasion, everyone would start shooting at his place. I strongly believe this has been brought under control”