The disarmament process has officially commenced in Warrap State, marking a significant step in the government’s campaign to end intercommunal violence and restore lasting peace in the violence-prone region.
Governor Bol Wek launched the initiative on Sunday, urging residents to surrender illegal firearms and embrace reconciliation.
“Let us choose peace, unity, and progress,” Governor Wek declared. “I call on all communities in Warrap to hand over their weapons and trust in this effort to stabilize our region.”
While the campaign aims to reduce deadly cattle raids and revenge attacks, it inevitably faces persistent serious challenges of an unanswered question about the safety of the disarmed without a simultaneous process in the neighboring communities.
However, the local youth representative, Machar Majok, emphasized the need for proper management of the collected weapons to ensure long-term peace.
“We, the youth, are ready to work with the government to restore lasting peace,” Majok said. “We have seen in the past how people hand over guns, but after a short time, they find their way back into the community. This time, the government must take full control to prevent that from happening.”
The operation by the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) follows a presidential emergency declaration that targeted Warrap State and neighboring Mayom County in June 2025. Authorities say the disarmament is part of a broader plan to break cycles of violence and create development opportunities.
Still, for many residents, the fear of being defenseless against neighboring communities remains a major obstacle.
As the campaign unfolds, its success will hinge not only on how quickly guns are collected, but on whether trust and safety can be restored across borders.
