By Bosco Bush
Lawmakers at the Transitional National Legislative Assembly have voiced concern over the country’s security situation amidst rampant insecurity cases reported.
Recently, the country has witnessed an alarming rise in violence including armed conflicts in Nasir County, Yambio, and Eastern Equatoria.
The latest incursion of the Uganda armed forces UPDF who forcefully displaced civilians in Magwi County and took control of over 200 areas in Kajo-Keji, with a presence in Wau and Raja counties has also been reported.
On Monday, at least 5 people were reportedly killed and 15 others wounded, and many civilians displaced in an inter-communal fighting in Cueibet County, Lakes State.
In its ordinary sitting on Tuesday, lawmakers representing Lakes State and Northern Bahr el Ghazal raised separate points of information regarding the volatile security situation of the country, urging the government and security organs to address the issue coherently.
Juol Nhomngek, representing Cueibet County, Lakes State raised a point of information regarding Monday’s inter-communal fighting that left at least 5 people dead and 15 others wounded in inter-communal violence in Cueibet County.
“Yesterday (Monday), about five people were killed and fifteen people were wounded and many were displaced between two Payams within Cueibet County. This happened yesterday, and we have the government.”
Nhomngek said it’s the collective responsibility of the government as enshrined in the constitution to protect its citizens and provide peace and security – adding that, the ongoing rampant insecurity signifies a failed security system of the country that requires an overhaul.
“We have the duty to protect the citizens so that they don’t destroy each other because that’s the meaning of the government. The presence of the rampant insecurity around the country not only in Cueibet county means that there’s a failed security system, which we must have to review our system,” he said.
Meanwhile, Wek Chuei Dang, representing Northern Bahr el Ghazal State told the August House the illicit supply and cheap possession of firearms by the citizens in the state that poses a security threat in the area.
“I raised this point of information so that the security of this nation should put it into consideration,” he said.
“There are many weapons which have been smuggled within Northern Bahr el State, and this caused insecurity in the state. Because there’s much weapon like; AK47, pistols were bought in a very cheap price, and so many citizens start buying them,” Dang disclosed.
In response, Rt. Hon. Speaker, Jemma Nunu clarified that several parliamentary resolutions including the establishment of community policing initiatives to counter inter-communal conflicts have been passed and forwarded to the executive for implementation.
On the smuggling and illicit selling of weapons in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, she instructed the Specialized Committee for Security to make some follow-up on the matter.