Armed youth in show of weaponry. | Courtesy

Authorities in Warrap State are calling for an extension of the state of emergency after the six-month period ended this month, with only a small number of firearms collected from civilians.

In early June, President Salva Kiir declared a state of emergency in Warrap State and Mayom County in Unity State following deteriorating security conditions.

The directive came days after intercommunal violence between Luac-Jang and Jalwau communities left 62 people dead, including 20 women, and injured dozens more.

Speaking to Eye Radio from Kuajok this morning, Warrap Information Minister Mamer Bath said local authorities have reported a low number of firearms recovered during the disarmament exercise.

Mamer Bath called on President Kiir to extend the order, saying the process can only be fully implemented under a state of emergency.

“The state government calls for the extension of the state of emergency for the disarmament to move on smoothly, because without the state of emergency sometimes people call for you to implement such a complicating process.

“But when there is a state of emergency everything will be easy. We are expecting the extension of state of emergency from H.E. the President sooner, very soon we are expecting the state of emergency in Warrap state,” he appealed.

However, some community members argue that disarmament should be conducted simultaneously with neighbouring areas to prevent further attacks and cattle raiding.