22 March 2012 -- In an exclusive interview, the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) general in charge of theJonglei civilian disarmament campaign said that about 9,300 guns had been collected thus far.

Lt. Gen. Kuol Deim Kuol spoke with UNMISS public information officer Hailemichael Gebrekrstos in the Jonglei capital of Bor.

Question: How is the civilian disarmament exercise going in Jonglei State?

Gen. Kuol: Generally it is going as we have planned. We have divided Jonglei into five sectors which include all the counties in the state. These sectors are Boma, Pibor, Waat, Bor, and Atar-Ayod-Pangak. And as I am speaking to you today, we have collected about 9,300 guns so far.

Question: As the SPLA commander in charge of Operation Restoring Peace, how would you describe the general population's reaction to the civilian disarmament campaign?

Gen. Kuol: We have had very high cooperation from the people and particularly from the chiefs and payam administrators. They are in the lead and they are the ones who are helping the SPLA in the collection of the guns.

Question: Have you encountered any resistance to date?

Gen. Kuol: All over Jonglei the only person who is not cooperating with us so far is a certain person who is a magician who is claiming to be a prophet in Uror County. He is the one who led the Lou Nuer youth when they committed atrocities in Likuangole (in December 2011), and that was a sad incident. He is the only person who is giving the negative message that the youth should not be disarmed.

Question: What measures are you taking now to address that problem?

Gen. Kuol: When the SPLA battalion entered Uror County on 20 March together with the police and chiefs to collect guns, he ran away from his village. When our forces came nearer to the place where he was hiding out, he fired on our forces, they had to fire back in self-defense.

In that sad incident, four of our soldiers were wounded and four from the side of the magician were killed. He himself managed to flee, and he is now on the run. In addition, we managed to disarm 40 youths by force.

Question: Can you comment on allegations of serious harassment and mistreatment of local community members by SPLA soldiers who are taking part in the disarmament campaign?

Gen. Kuol: The general picture is that the SPLA soldiers are abiding by the rules of engagement, (which are) very strict. We clearly instructed our soldiers not to loot and rape. And when there is any sort of accusation, we will take disciplinary action.

For example, on 19 March some soldiers were accused of raping a lady in the town of Pariak , south of Bor. They were immediately arrested and now they are in prison. A court-martial will be formed as soon as the investigation is over.

Question: What assurances can you give to civilians who have surrendered their weapons that they will not be vulnerable to attacks from other civilians who are not cooperating with the campaign?

Gen. Kuol: The protection of the civilian is the responsibility of the government. We have made plans, and in each county the government will deploy 300 policemen, 100 prison guards and 100 wildlife officers for a total of about 500 police. About 15,000 SPLA soldiers who are participating in this disarmament will also stay in the area and they will not go

Question: What is the way forward now?

Gen. Kuol: The way forward is for civilians to give over the guns. Civilians are not supposed to carry guns, and when a citizen takes over the responsibility of protecting himself, there is always lawlessness. So, that is why they should hand over their guns immediately.

Question: Do you have any message for your own soldiers about the exercise?

Gen. Kuol: I want to tell them that these are our people, and we are coming from these communities. They are our brothers, sisters, daughters and fathers and we should respect their rights.

Anybody who will violate the rules of engagement is to blame himself, and we will immediately take legal measures.