Members of the Rup community in Rumbek Centre County of Lakes State have surrendered 173 weapons to the disarmament forces in the area, a community leader said.

Speaking at a rally held in Rumbek town to handover the collected firearms to the military on Tuesday, the chairperson of the Rup community’s committee for voluntary disarmament, Mangar Matoc Machar said they had collected 173 illegal firearms within a week.

 “Within seven days, we managed to collect 173 firearms. There are 171 Ak-47 and 2 PKM machine guns, Mangar explained.

He commended the armed youths and traditional leaders for cooperating with the military in surrendering illegal firearms peacefully and voluntarily.

Mabor Aliir Cipuounyuo, the Paramount Chief of the Rup Community, said the disarmament exercise will continue to reach all armed civilians in the area.

The traditional leader called on the government to protect those whose guns had been collected.

"While we are collecting firearms from the Rup community, still there are some enemies of the community who continue laying ambushes in cattle camps and along the main roads," he said.

For his part, Lakes State Governor Makur Kulang appreciated the Rup community for their positive response to the peaceful disarmament exercise in the area.

"I am urging those who are still keeping bullets and guns for sales to civilians to cease, otherwise if found they will face severe punishment,” he stressed.

The top state official said this is a second phase of the disarmament exercise in Rumbek Centre County, adding that the government will now move to Greater Yirol and Cueibet.

In July, the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) announced a plan to collect firearms from civilians in Lakes State and neighbouring areas.

But a recent survey released by the South Sudan Network on Small Arms said that the communities may resist the disarmament exercise if the government does not offer them and their cattle enough protection.

Earlier this months, more than 100 people died in fighting between armed civilians and organised forces tasked to carry out disarmament in Tonj East County of Warrap State.