A group of women from Barpakeny, in Lakes state, were temporarily detained by SPLA forces while heading for Barnam Bridge to join their fellow women to mark the International Women’s Day organized by Women for Women International.
The military though the women were escaping from the ongoing exercise of disarmament in Barpakeny area, East of Rumbek town, Radio Good News reported.The women were released after several hours of detention.
Despite the misfortune, they sang and danced as they rejoined their fellow women at the celebration spot, Barnam Bridge, 40 kilometers East of Rumbek.
The Commissioner for Rumbek East County, Mabor Meen, said he was sorry for the incident.
Mr. Meen explained that the army was not targeting the women as such, but rather, wanted to be sure that they were hiding firearms since the women were mixed with the youth and the large number made the SPLA forces suspicious.
The Commissioner urged those having unauthorized guns to surrender them to their chiefs peacefully to avoid problems from the army.