University Student Calls for Civilian Disarmament

By Aluong Maker Aluong

John Thor Deng, a student at the University of Juba and member of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), has called for the disarmament of civilians, warning that the widespread possession of weapons poses serious risks to peace and security.

In an interview with The Dawn on Monday, he stated that carrying guns is as simple as carrying wallets, which emboldens civilians to raid cattle and attack one another across the country, ultimately resulting in the loss of multiple lives.

“Guns in the hands of civilians threaten both their own lives and the existence of the entire nation, as they encourage individuals and groups to engage in attacks,” Thor stated.

He urged South Sudanese to consider the implications of gun ownership for self-defence and to embrace diplomacy when addressing conflicts. He argued that the challenges associated with carrying firearms far outweigh the potential benefits, suggesting that issues such as clan conflicts and domestic violence will persist unless guns are removed from civilian hands. This disarmament would pave the way for diplomacy, compelling citizens with grievances to seek legal intervention rather than resorting to violence.

“Protecting borders and sovereignty is not the responsibility of civilians, but rather solely that of the government. Some civilians may claim to protect sovereignty, particularly along borders such as Kajokeji with Uganda and Natipal with Kenya, but this is a misconception. The government holds ultimate authority over these matters, which undermines any justification for civilians carrying firearms,” Thor declared.

He reiterated that the government should take swift action to disarm civilians and deploy an army to prevent encroachments on the borders that civilians cite as their reasons for possessing guns.

“It is always reasonable to provide unwavering care to individuals, followed by the enforcement of law. Those receiving protection will accept the law because it offers safety. The government should disarm citizens and ensure their protection,” Thor elaborated.

The outspoken youth also emphasised that disarmament should be uniformly implemented across all ten states and counties of South Sudan to prevent other armed social groups from taking advantage of those who have been disarmed.

Thor lamented how firearms often return to civilian hands after disarmament efforts fail to meet the government’s intentions. While previous disarmament campaigns may have appeared to be successful in collecting weapons, many of those same firearms subsequently ended up back in civilian possession through undefined means. This suggests that governmental efforts to disarm civilians are being undermined. If members of the government are indeed recycling the same guns collected from civilians, then the disarmament initiative becomes futile, as it fails to provide a lasting solution. In a bold statement, he said, “We are simply burdening ourselves.”

He emphasised that disarmament is a “silver bullet” for development, as it would allow everyone to live in peace and focus on self-improvement through agriculture, business, and other constructive activities that contribute to a tranquil nation.

“Civilians do not resist disarmament from the government; rather, they seek protection from external aggressions, particularly in disputed areas such as Kajokeji, Natipal, and Abyei, which have long been in a state of uncertainty,” Thor concluded.