South Sudan: Wau Disarmament Demands Forces Accountability

• A disarmament operation in Wau County, South Sudan, conducted under a state of emergency, has led to allegations of misconduct and looting by security forces.
• Civil society groups, including CEPO, are demanding government oversight and legal action against soldiers accused of theft and abuse of authority during the operation.
• The Paramount Chief of Greater Bagari Payam reported specific instances of hospitals being looted and property, including a solar power system, taken from a court.
• Advocates emphasize that civilian protection is essential for the disarmament process to be effective and call for the operation to extend beyond Wau County.
• Concerns have also been raised about the insecurity affecting pupils preparing for Primary Eight examinations, with calls for the Ministry of Education to ensure safe testing environments.

For disarmament to achieve its intended purpose, the government must guarantee civilian protection.

A recent disarmament operation in South Sudan's Wau County, conducted under a state of emergency declared by President Salva Kiir, has drawn sharp criticism from civil society organizations following allegations of widespread misconduct. The emergency measures, which the overseeing commander indicated would remain in effect for six months, were intended to address public safety concerns, yet they have reportedly led to new anxieties among residents in Western Bahr el Ghazal.

The operation, which took place last week, has been marred by reports of looting and property theft. The Paramount Chief of Greater Bagari Payam specifically detailed instances of hospitals being looted and a court losing its furniture and a solar power system. These incidents have fueled public concern regarding the conduct of security forces involved in the Wau disarmament efforts.

In response to these troubling reports, civil society groups, including the Network of Civil Society Organizations in Western Bahr el Ghazal State, have urged the government to implement rigorous oversight of the security forces. Stephen Robo Musa, who serves as the regional coordinator for the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) and is a member of the network, conveyed to Radio Tamazuj that soldiers found to be abusing their authority must face legal consequences. He emphasized that the fundamental goal of disarmament is to foster a peaceful environment for citizens, and any actions by soldiers to personally benefit from the process should be met with the full force of the law.

The network voiced its support for peaceful disarmament, asserting that the proliferation of illegal firearms among civilians poses a significant threat to public safety and contributes to overall insecurity in South Sudan. However, Robo Musa stressed the critical importance of government-guaranteed civilian protection for the disarmament operation to achieve its intended purpose. He warned that without adequate safeguards for citizens, the entire process of disarmament would be rendered meaningless.

Beyond the immediate concerns in Wau County, Robo Musa advocated for the disarmament exercise to be expanded across all parts of Western Bahr el Ghazal State, not just confined to Wau. He articulated a vision for a South Sudan free from illegal guns, suggesting that a broader, more comprehensive approach is necessary to tackle the issue effectively.

Furthermore, the insecurity linked to the ongoing operation has raised alarms about its potential impact on students preparing for their Primary Eight examinations, which were scheduled to commence on Monday. Robo Musa called upon the state Ministry of Education to assess the safety of examination centers in Wau County, noting that some pupils had already completed their forms and were awaiting the tests. He proposed relocating candidates to secure venues within Wau Municipality if their designated examination sites were deemed unsafe, urging the examinations committee to ensure all locations were secure before the tests began, given the limited preparation time remaining for students.

Lawyers should be aware of potential human rights violations and property claims arising from security force misconduct during disarmament operations in South Sudan, advising clients on avenues for accountability and redress against state actors or individual officers.

Source: Original reporting via Radio Tamazuj