SPLA searches for illegal guns in Juba
Sep 10, 2009
THE SUDAN People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) yesterday conducted a search for illegal guns in Juba town in South Sudan.
THE SUDAN People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) yesterday conducted a search for illegal guns in Juba town in South Sudan, reports Henry Mukasa.
The impromptu “cordon-and-search†operation started in the morning and ended at 2:00pm.
By press time, it was not possible to establish how many guns had been recovered from a town where almost every household is believed to possess at least one gun, following decades of a protracted struggle for liberation.
Sources in Juba said residents woke up to announcements on mega-phones that the army was checking their homes for illegal weapons. The message also ordered them to stay in their homes.
The SPLA spokesperson, Gen. Peter Pernyane, could not be reached for comment as his mobile phone was switched off.
Uganda’s consul to Juba, Busho Ndiyenka confirmed that the operation had taken place.
“I believe the security people must have got information that many people, who are not entitled to guns, have them,†Busho commented.
Separate sources said there have been many violent crimes, murders, armed robberies and brawls in bars degenerating into gun battles.
The impromptu “cordon-and-search†operation started in the morning and ended at 2:00pm.
By press time, it was not possible to establish how many guns had been recovered from a town where almost every household is believed to possess at least one gun, following decades of a protracted struggle for liberation.
Sources in Juba said residents woke up to announcements on mega-phones that the army was checking their homes for illegal weapons. The message also ordered them to stay in their homes.
The SPLA spokesperson, Gen. Peter Pernyane, could not be reached for comment as his mobile phone was switched off.
Uganda’s consul to Juba, Busho Ndiyenka confirmed that the operation had taken place.
“I believe the security people must have got information that many people, who are not entitled to guns, have them,†Busho commented.
Separate sources said there have been many violent crimes, murders, armed robberies and brawls in bars degenerating into gun battles.