UNMISS team observes disarmament in Boma

21 Mar 2012

UNMISS team observes disarmament in Boma

20 March 2012 – Over 100 guns have been collected in the Jonglei town of Boma and environs since a statewide civilian disarmament campaign began there a week ago.

That was among the most significant findings of a team of UNMISS and UN Development Programme (UNDP) staff members who visited the area in eastern Jonglei State earlier today as part of the peacekeeping mission's monitoring of the campaign.

The acting executive director of Boma payam told the team that local residents to date had fully cooperated with elements of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) assigned to carry out the disarmament.

"Our people are handing over their arms to the SPLA tasked to collect the guns, and there is no resistance from the community so far," said David Thurbok. "The communities know that the process is very important for future peace and stability of the state."

A total of 117 firearms have been collected since the campaign began on 13 March, according to SPLA soldiers deployed in Boma.

The population of the area is predominantly of Murle ethnic origin, and a paramount chief underscored the willingness of local residents to surrender their weaponry.

"I can confirm to you that my people are ready to give in their guns and they are doing so right now," said Chief Logidang Lotiboy. "We do not want anybody to hide and keep his guns at all."

But Mr. Lotiboy and local officials complained about the aggressive behavior of some SPLA soldiers who are participating in the campaign.

"They are beating the people and the community is scared of their actions," said the paramount chief. "They are looting money and alcohol from residents' home and abusing the people."

The acting executive director of Boma payam echoed Mr. Lotiboy's comments, adding that SPLA soldiers initially disarmed South Sudan Police Service and Wildlife Service officers in Boma before handing back the confiscated weapons.

"We need the police to have their arms with them all the time in order to build confidence among the community," said Mr. Thurbok. "The government should give clear instructions to its forces about this issue."

An SPLA officer who received the team of UNMISS and UNDP staff members in Boma declined to comment on the allegations.

Over 3,200 internally displaced persons who fled the late December attacks by Lou Nuer youths are living in Boma and urgently need humanitarian assistance, according to Longony Alston of the South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission.

"Most of these displaced people do not get any assistance since January and we are really concerned about their conditions," Mr. Alston said. "We are requesting the humanitarian community, especially the World Food Programme, to provide assistances to these people."