Illicit acquisition and open sale of small arms in South Sudan capital Juba poses a threat to security in the West Nile districts, the Arua Municipality MP has said

Mr Akbar Godi said today the trade could lead to formation of armed groups who could attack the West Nile districts at will. "I was in Juba three months ago and discovered that guns like pistols are sold in open markets in Sudan," Mr Godi said. "If we don't check out this, our people will fall victim to armed attacks."

Mr Godi said while the presence of weapons does not directly cause conflicts, the uncontrolled proliferation and misuse of small arms in vulnerable communities may increase tension, escalate and prolong ongoing conflicts and contribute to the recurrence and eventual outbreak of fighting.

In recent years, increased proliferation and misuse of small arms has also contributed to human rights abuses. Already, several local communities have registered killings by armed thugs. Two people were recently killed in Koboko and their bodies dumped at the Uganda-DR Congo border.

Mr Godi said a gun in Sudan costs $400 (Shs700,000). He said the presence of small arms in post-conflict areas undermines peace agreements and deters peace-building and reconstruction. The UPDF West Nile Spokesman, Capt. Robert Kamara, said negotiations are going on with the South Sudan government to control movement of the arms.