S. Sudan army deployed in Gogrial state over tribal conflict

[Elisabeth Janaina]

S. Sudan army deployed in Gogrial state over tribal conflict

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July 4, 2017 (JUBA) –The Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), the
national army of South Sudan, has deployed forces in Gogrial state to
end on and off communal fights between two rival communities.

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Sudan Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA) soldiers singing pro-war song
(AFP file photo)

The state information minister, Ariech Mayar Ariech said on Monday
that the first batch of government forces arrived in Kuacjok town, the
administrative headquarters of South Sudan’s Gogrial state.

“The first batch of SPLA forces arrived in the state capital Kuajok
with the mandate to disarm and counter on going Apuk south and Kuac
civilians’ confrontation. The deployment of intervention force comes
as a result of the security meeting in Wau between SPLA’s chief of
defense forces Gen. James Ajonga and the governor of Gogrial state
General Gregory Deng”, said Ariech.

He did not disclose where the forces were deployed nor for how long
they will stay in the area doing what he called “forceful” disarmament
of the civilians.

However, following a high-level security meeting held in Wau town on
Sunday, the governor, chief of defence staff and other commanding
officers were directed to seize all illegal firearms among civilians
and deal "firmly" with those in possession.

Local area legislators and residents said the government deployed
enough security personnel facilitated with armored vehicles to begin
the exercise.

The move is expected to quell the rampant insecurity cases in the region.

The exercise, which takes immediate effect, will be carried out to
recover all unlicensed firearms currently in the hands of criminals
and bandits.

(ST)