14 March 2012 - Two days after the South Sudanese government launched a civilian disarmament exercise in Jonglei State, thousands of weapons have been collected in the capital Bor, state officials said.

More than 4,000 arms were handed over to uniformed forces included mortars, machine guns, rifles and pistols, according to Jonglei State Governor Kuol Manyang Juuk and Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) Commanders Gen. Koul Deng and Gen. Boutros Bol.

"I am glad to see that these arms, which were in the hands of the civilian population, have been collected ... by the SPLA and other organized forces," Governor Manyang said in an interview.

"These guns are very dangerous and could ... turn the town into another Mogadishu," he said. "Many people have died since 2005 because of guns ... and we should not allow this situation to continue indefinitely."

The disarmament exercise was launched by South Sudanese President Salva Kiir on 12 March to tackle persistent insecurity and inter-communal violence in the state. Actual weapons collection began early the next day.

The exercise would continue until security forces were satisfied that all guns had been collected, Governor Manyang said. "This process can go on for one month, two months and, if necessary, it can continue up to one year."

Adding that the state government had sensitized people ahead of the disarmament process, the governor said he was confident communities would hand over their guns peacefully and voluntarily.

So far, residents had shown strong commitment to the process, and no security incidents had occurred, he said.

"These guns were collected without any resistance ... and people were happy ... to see the SPLA taking their guns from their houses," the governor said. "Now, the search is going on throughout the state and people are giving in their guns."
If people refused to hand over weapons voluntarily, he said government agents might use force to disarm them. "There are a few people who will try to hide their guns or escape with their guns."

But Governor Manyang said the government had deployed sufficient forces to handle the exercise. "We have deployed 15,000 SPLA soldiers and police forces ... and they will perform their tasks with necessary discipline."

He urged residents to continue cooperating with government forces for the sake of peace and stability in Jonglei. "We have seen how these weapons ... inflicted heavy casualties upon us. The only way forward is to hand over the guns ... and the government will take care of security."

Deng Chuol Bei, a parliamentarian from the legislative constituency of Akobo North, also called on residents to hand over their guns peacefully and voluntarily. "We are hoping that this exercise will solve the problem of insecurity in our state if applied (in a) properly and timely (fashion)."

Bor resident Magot Achol said he was happy to see the SPLA and organized forces collecting guns from civilians in town. "These guns were our enemies for a long time ... and I am happy today to see that they are gone."

Another resident, Emanuel Panchol, said the exercise would assist people to focus more on development. "Our people could not settle and farm for a long time due to insecurity across the state."