Showdown Looms as Kiir Orders Arms Surrender
Posted by Daily Nation on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 6:22 PM (PST)
A major showdown looms in parts of Southern Sudan between government forces and civilians following President Salva Kiir’s order for disarmament of people who resist to hand over their arms.
President Kiir has lamented that almost all corners of Southern Sudan were experiencing insecurity, mostly caused by rival armed civilians.
His directive comes against a backdrop of insecurity in the region, which has threatened to derail the full implementation of the Nairobi-brokered Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the North and South.
In statement sent from the Sudanese Embassy in Nairobi, Mr Kiir ordered the command of the organised forces to launch the disarmament this week in some states.
Last week, at least 40 South Sudanese soldiers and civilians were killed when tribal fighters from Jikany Nuer group ambushed boats carrying UN food aid.
On Monday, Mr Kiir said those who illegally hold guns should either hand them over now, or be disarmed by force in all the 10 Southern Sudan states.
He was speaking during the opening of the 24th session of the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly (SSLA) in Juba.
“Any one illegally owning a gun and refusing to hand it over to the authorities would be disarmed by force,” he said.
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