Civil Society Urges Oversight of Disarmament Forces in Wau, South Sudan

Civil society groups in Western Bahr el Ghazal State are urging the government to monitor security forces conducting a disarmament operation in Wau County. This call comes after reports of looting and concerns over civilian safety. The Network of Civil Society Organizations in the state has demanded that the government and disarmament committee hold soldiers accountable for misconduct, including the alleged theft of residents' property during the operation.

The regional coordinator of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, Stephen Robo Musa, stated that soldiers found abusing their authority should face legal action. He emphasized that the aim of disarmament is to create a conducive environment for citizens to live in peace. Robo Musa said the network supported peaceful disarmament, arguing that the proliferation of illegal firearms among civilians threatened public safety and contributed to insecurity.

Robo Musa called for the disarmament exercise to be extended beyond Wau County to other parts of the state. He stressed that the process of disarmament is a good move, but it should not be limited to Wau County. According to him, the goal is to make South Sudan free from illegal guns. He also emphasized that the government must guarantee civilian protection for disarmament to achieve its intended purpose.

Wau County experienced a disarmament operation last week under a state of emergency declared by President Salva Kiir. The commander overseeing the operation said the emergency measures would last six months. However, the operation has been marred by reports of looting, with the Paramount Chief of Greater Bagari Payam reporting that hospitals had been looted and furniture and a solar power system had been taken from a court.

Robo Musa also warned that insecurity linked to the operation could affect pupils preparing to sit their Primary Eight examinations, scheduled to begin on Monday. He urged the state Ministry of Education to assess examination centers in Wau County and ensure they are safe for candidates. This is crucial as some pupils have already filled their forms and are waiting for the exams.

The civil society groups are concerned that the current disarmament has caused fear among pupils. Robo Musa called for candidates to be moved to examination centers within Wau Municipality if their designated venues are considered unsafe. He urged the examinations committee to ensure that all venues are secure before the examinations begin, warning that pupils have only a few hours remaining to prepare for the tests.

The Network of Civil Society Organizations in Western Bahr el Ghazal State continues to advocate for a peaceful and effective disarmament process. Key to this is ensuring that security forces are held accountable for their actions and that civilians are protected throughout the operation. The group's efforts aim to promote public safety and contribute to the overall stability of the region.

Key points

• Civil society groups in Western Bahr el Ghazal State are calling for government oversight of security forces conducting a disarmament operation in Wau County.
• The disarmament operation in Wau County has been marred by reports of looting and concerns over civilian safety.
• The operation's success depends on the government's ability to guarantee civilian protection and hold security forces accountable for misconduct.