The government of south Sudan intends to provide Wild Life officers with weapons in an effort to protect the fauna in the region from the claws of commercial poaching.
Yesterday, Goss Minister for Wildlife, Agnes Poni Lukudu, said commercial poaching was greatly affecting animals in South Sudan.Ms. Lukudu explained that poachers were heavily armed and hard to control because the wildlife forces had no proper weapons.
Faisal Tong, undersecretary of the GoSS Ministry of Wildlife, Conservation and Tourism, said the government agreed to arm wildlife forces together with the police.
Mr. Tong added that South Sudan does not have a weapons industry and procurement of fire arms takes time.
Mr. Tong made these remarks during the Boma-Jonglei Landscape Technical Planning workshop that aims at developing an integrated land use management plan for the landscape.
The plan will seek to formalize the commitment and support of the community and government in managing protected areas.