Watchdog calls for peaceful disarmament in Nasir

JUBA – A South Sudanese civil society organization has urged the government to conduct its planned disarmament operation in Nasir County peacefully to avoid violence and human rights violations.

Edmund Yakani, executive director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), warned against the use of force, saying past disarmament efforts have led to violence and civilian casualties.

“CEPO is urging the government to carry out peaceful disarmament, not forceful disarmament that leads to deadly moments and grave human rights violations,” Yakani said in an email to Sudans Post. “Let the exercise of civilian disarmament be free from being politicized by the political elites.”

Yakani called on the government to ensure the process is not politicized by elites seeking personal or factional gain.

The statement comes amid rising tensions in Nasir, where armed youth are reportedly mobilizing to resist the planned disarmament, sources told Sudans Post.

The deployment of additional South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) troops to the area has fueled fears of clashes.

CEPO said it will monitor the conduct of security forces during the operation, warning against human rights abuses.

“CEPO will be closely tracking the activities of the Nasir civilians’ disarmament by the forces entrusted to carry out the disarmament,” Yakani said.

The call follows recent fighting between SSPDF troops and local youth in Nasir that resulted in the deaths of four SSPDF soldiers.

The number of youth casualties remains unclear, with both sides blaming each other for the violence.