The governor of Western Bahr-el-Ghazal State, Sarah Cleto Hassan Rial, over the weekend ordered the organized forces and the security committee to ensure that there is no random shooting in Wau town and the entire state during and after the festive season. 

She ordered that security arrangements should be put in place now so that people and the faithful celebrate Christmas peacefully.

“There are sounds of gunshots which people hear these days, especially in the suburbs in the periphery of the town. So today (Saturday) I gave instructions to the security committee that we should not hear any gunshots during the festive season and even in the future,” Governor Sarah Cleto said. 

She also sent her condolences to the family of two young herdsmen who were killed last week by unknown gunmen in the area south of Wau town and revealed that there is still no proper information about the incident.

The governor said that a conference was held between farmers and cattle keepers last month but that it did not have any positive outcome and that she will conduct another conference soon.

“Two herders were killed and the information that came to me is not conclusive. These people were killed and I am very saddened today by this and want to pass my deepest condolences to the families of the youth we lost. We had a conference between farmers and herders which was not very successful but we will hold another one soon,” Cleto said.

The state’s police commissioner, Major General Samuel Ajoung, said that they have heeded the governor’s instructions that there should not be any more random shooting and promised to arrest all those found bearing illegal weapons. 

“The governor instructed that from today there should not be the sound of gunshots. These are clear instructions and all the organized forces should know that we will not entertain shootings and anyone found guilty will be charged. So during this festive season, we do not want random shooting. This is what the meeting decided.” Gen. Ajoung said.

The acting SSPDF Division 5 commander, Major General Okot David Awai, said that anyone found with an illegal weapon will be dealt with accordingly.

“The instructions from the governor are clear and from today we do not want to hear gunshots. To the army, I want to say that ours is just implementing orders. You whom we find moving with a weapon without authorization, just know you are already in problems,” Gen. Okot said. “Not just during the festive season but even in the future. I want to say that peace has now come to the country and we have to treasure it. To the criminals out there, you are on your own."