The Aftermath of Disarmament on Community Security in Warrap State, South Sudan: The Case of Gogrial East County

Abstract

South Sudan has been in the limelight for security-related issues stretching beyond the independence and autonomy of the country. The insecurity saw many people armed with weapons in pursuit of protecting themselves from the constant insecurity. Traditionally, security issues were confined to the realm of states; however, a new emerging paradigm of security has given the community a say on these issues by putting the individual at the center of the debate. The fundamental indicators of community security in Gogrial East in the aftermath of disarmament are the safety of the local people in their communities, the protection of their animals while grazing in fields and at watering points, their security at home, their protection against raid attacks from armed clans, and human killings involving firearms. The purpose of the study was to establish the aftermath of civilian disarmament in Warrap State, South Sudan. This study was guided by the Post-Modernist Approach and Neo-Realist Approach theories. The study utilized a qualitative research design. The target population was 146,276. The village elders in the area of study, youth who serve as warriors in the cattle camps, and members of the Peace Committees in the homesteads formed the sample size. Additionally, representatives of law enforcement officers (LEOs) from the Sudan People's Defense Force, South Sudan National Police Services, and the Community Police. Lastly, the study incorporated key informants (KI) such as politicians, CSOs, and community elders. The study adopted purposive sampling, stratified sampling, and random sampling with the strata of interest; a sample size of 110 using Mugenda and Mugenda and Borg and Gall formulas was used. Primary and secondary data collection were used. Questionnaires, interview guides, and focus group discussions were the data collection instruments. The study adopted multiple sources of data, ranging from primary to secondary. Both quantitative and qualitative techniques were used for data analysis and presentation. The data obtained was presented in percentages, pie charts, bar graphs, and tables. The qualitative data captured was analyzed using a narrative approach. The study found that the government of South Sudan and the military comprehend their role to protect the state, but more importantly, the people of South Sudan as stipulated in the constitution, especially those affected by the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. On a positive note, the level of state security after the disarmament of 2018, especially the security of the local people in their communities and the safety of their animals while grazing in fields and at watering points, there is security at their homes (cattle camps), and their protection against raid attacks from armed clans and human killings involving firearms in Gogrial East County is significantly safer currently. As the SSPDF continues to refine the disarmament program and operations in Gogrial East, the need for increased focus on community security has also increased. The study recommends that state and civil society organizations should look for ways to supplement community safety initiatives by funding educational and employment-generating initiatives so that children, youth, the unemployed, and other marginalized groups have more opportunities to secure gainful employment. This process will address some of the root causes of personal, community, and national insecurity. Mental disarmament of communities rather than physical disarmament is preferred. If the communities are mentally disarmed to fully understand the danger of illegal firearms and get assurance of their protection by the government, they will voluntarily surrender their arms.