South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Awan Achiek
The South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) has given a 7-day ultimatum to civilians in Warrap State and Mayom County of Unity State to voluntarily surrender illegal firearms before forceful disarmament is carried out.
Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, SSPDF Spokesman, warned of forceful disarmament against those who retain illegal weapons after the deadline.
“All armed youth in Warrap State and Mayom County of Unity State are given a grace period of one week to voluntarily start handing over their weapons to civil authority and SSPDF forces conducting the disarmament,” Gen. Ruai told journalists at a press conference on Monday.
Maj. Gen. Ruai said the SSPDF command has deployed forces tasked with the responsibility of conducting both peaceful and forceful disarmament in Warrap State and Mayom County of Unity State.
“Upon the expiry or elapse of the one week that has been given as a grace period, SSPDF forces will launch coordinated and simultaneous forceful disarmament exercises in Warrap state and Mayom County,” he said.
He noted that this initiative comes amid an increase in levels of violence and revenge attacks among communities in Warrap State, as well as cattle raids in Mayom County of Unity State.
He urged armed youth to comply with the order, stating that any failure to do so will result in the administration of harsh and punitive measures.
For his part, Ter Manyang Gatwech, Executive Director of the Centre for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), stressed the need for dialogue with community leaders, chiefs, and youths to seek amicable ways to address their grievances.
“Therefore, if peace is truly the goal, the solution must begin with dialogue, trust-building, and the restoration of state legitimacy. The path forward must be peaceful, inclusive, and centred on justice,” Manyang said.
He expressed concern that the disarmament will be resisted by youth.
“To forcibly disarm these civilians without addressing why they felt compelled to bear arms in the first place is not just unjust — it is dangerous,” said Manyang.
