The South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) has issued a one-week ultimatum for armed youth in Warrap and Unity states, particularly in Mayom County, to voluntarily surrender their weapons.
This directive follows recent violent encounter in Ngap-Agok Payam, Tonj East County, Warrap State, where armed youth ambushed SSPDF soldiers, seizing their weapons. In response, the youth later surrendered eight of the captured firearms.
A statement from SSPDF read: “All armed youth in Warrap State and Mayom County of Unity State are given a grace period of one week to voluntarily start handing over their weapons to civilian authorities and SSPDF forces conducting disarmament.”
SSPDF Spokesperson Maj Lul Ruai announced that a coordinated disarmament operation would soon begin across Warrap and Mayom. “Upon the elapse or expiry of the one-week grace period, SSPDF forces will launch coordinated and simultaneous forceful disarmament in Warrap and Mayom County.”
Adding to the unrest, recent airstrikes by SSPDF helicopter gunships in Gogrial East County caused civilians to flee. However, the gunship crew, who were foreigners, mistakenly bombed the Awut-Wut Primary Health Care Unit, forcing health workers and patients to abandon the facility.
Though some displacement occurred, residents have since returned home.
The escalating violence in Warrap State reflects deep-seated issues, including intercommunal clashes, cattle raiding, and the spread of small arms. Similar tensions surfaced in Twic County, where youth previously raided a military garrison in Turalei.
