On June 1, 2020, the State Government of South Darfur begun a process of collecting weapons in the following localities:
- Bram Al-Kalakah;
- Tulus;
- Kateela;
- Ad Al-Fursan;
- Raheid Al-Bardi;
- Umm Dafouk;
- Al-Radoom.
Security forces have coordinated their efforts to begin the process at the same time in each locality in order to prevent weapons from moving from one area to another as the collection takes place.
The collection of weapons is an important step in stemming the violence and improving the security situation in the State, as well as across wider Darfur. However, this process must be unbiased and must include all communities to ensure its success. Collection of weapons from one group and not another will serve as a continuation of biased action within the State for the purpose of tribal, ethnic and ideological objectives, which itself will further insecurity and lawlessness within Darfur.
Furthermore, the collection of weapons must be accompanied by security sector reform. The people of Darfur must be provided evidence by the State and its related security institutions that they can have faith in them as unbiased actors serving only to protect the rule of law and to provide sufficient justice mechanisms for those that transgress.
