Provision of safety and security by the government to communities that have surrendered their firearms and those forcefully disarmed must be a priority.
Reports of continuous cattle raids, such as one on Sunday, at a cattle camp in Achongchok, Tonj North County of Warrap State, are heartbreaking. An act that defies Presidential declaration of State of Emergency must not be condoned.
Government forces must, without favour, show supremacy over whoever is in possession of illegal firearms and deter others from straying back to lawlessness.
Persistent attacks on vulnerable youth, who have peacefully surrendered their guns, might tempt them to consider re-arming for retaliatory acts with perilous impacts.
As the programme continues, government must institute buffer zones by deployment of forces between disarmed communities and those yet in possession of arms. Leaving the disarmed communities without protection, exposes them to possible attacks by their former foes.
Physical removal of guns from the communities alone does not guarantee an end to conflicts or attacks, since any other tool, such as traditional weapons or rudimentary objects, could be used.
As a dividend, the government must engage partners to provide mental demilitarization of the youth and initiate income generation activities. This avoids a return to cattle raiding and roadside attacks as means of earning a living.
Any achievement gained in community disarmament must not be derailed by oversights that leave others prone and vulnerable to regrettable circumstances.