30 August 2006 — (Akobo) — A head chief of the Murle community in the Likuangole payam of Jonglei state says his community is ready to hand over their guns voluntarily and peacefully.

Speaking to Sudan Radio Service in Akobo County on Wednesday, Murle Paramount Chief Ngatho Gabila said the only reason his people have maintained their weapons is fear of the militias around Pibor town.  Chief Gabila urged those who would like to keep their guns to join the Sudan People’s Liberation Army or Sudan Army Forces, saying no civilians should keep their guns while other communities are disarmed.

Gabila assured the Akobo community that no Murle would attack them, saying the Murle are willing to hand over their guns to the SPLA any time.

Gabila was in Akobo last week to witness the celebration of Akobo’s peaceful disarmament, carried out in late July this year by the civil administration of Akobo County with help from NGO’s Nile Hope Development Foundation and PACT-Sudan.

In Likuangole, after the Murle Chief returned from Akobo on Thursday, the Murle community poured out in large numbers at the airstrip to hear news of the Lou-Nuer disarmament.  Most of the Murle community who spoke to Sudan Radio Service said they are delighted with the Lou-Nuer disarmament, though they fear it will not bring about an immediate end to cattle rustling.