By William Madouk
Armed youth in restive Unity and Warrap states have a week to surrender their guns to the army or face compulsory disarmament and punitive measures.
Maj-Gen Lul Ruai Koang, SSPDF spokesperson, announced at Bilpham that upon the arrival of the army in emergency-declared states, voluntary and coercive disarmament of armed youth would begin in Warrap state and Mayom county of Unity state, respectively.
“SSPDF command would like to announce the arrival of forces tasked with the responsibility of conducting two types of disarmament. Disarmament number one, voluntary disarmament,” he said.
“All armed youth in Warrap and Mayom counties 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. Two, forceful disarmament,” he added.
He stated that following the one-week deadline, the troops would conduct a synchronized and simultaneous aggressive recruitment exercise in both states.
“Upon the expiry or upon the elapse of one week that has been given as a grace period, SSPDF forces will launch coordinated and simultaneous forceful recruitment exercises in Warrap and Mayom county,” he echoed.
Gen. Lul said disarming troops operate under laws/ terms of reference in the presidential proclamation on the state of emergency, adding armed youth who resist would be punished.
“All armed youth are requested to comply with the presidential decree. Failure will result in the administration of harsh and punitive measures.”
This declaration is made after President Salva Kiir declared a six-month state of emergency in Warrap State and Mayom County of Unity State, citing escalating insecurity and communal violence.
The move effectively places Warrap and Mayom under lockdown, with expected restrictions on civilian movement.
Kiir also directed the newly appointed governor of restive Warrap State, Amb. Bol Wek Agoth, to end communal violence and restore peace in the state.
The violence that erupted in Tonj East County on May 28 and 29, 2025, killed 62 people, including 20 women, and injured 36 others.
The motives for the tragic fighting between the Luacjang and Jalwau communities are unknown.
Besides, 36 persons were killed in an attack on Abiemnom County in the Ruweng Administrative Area (RAA) by armed youth from Mayom County in Unity State, according to RAA Information Minister Chol Malith.
Mayom County Commissioner James Lily Kuol acknowledged the youth’s role in the incident, claiming that they were retaliating.
The commissioner denounced the attack on innocent civilians and called on the Youth to end hostilities.
Army spokesperson emphasized that disarmament is in the best interest of the local population.
“They have been deadly among themselves, targeting innocent civilians. They have been deadly on us,” he noted, “Having these armed civilians roaming, killing, looting, burning is counterproductive. And therefore, the best option is for these dangerous weapons to be removed from their arms.”
“If they accept our appeal for peaceful disarmament, voluntary disarmament, it will be in their best interest. If they refuse, we will collect the guns. At any cost,”