At least 12 people have died in recent protests in South Sudan targeting Sudanese nationals. This unrest follows reports of South Sudanese deaths in Sudan, prompting widespread demonstrations. Security forces have imposed a curfew, and a police spokesman reported a stabilizing situation, though tensions continue.
Recent protests in South Sudan have resulted in the deaths of at least 12 individuals over the past two days, with violence largely directed at Sudanese nationals. This unrest has grown following reports that 29 South Sudanese citizens were killed in Sudan’s Al-Jazeera state, inciting widespread demonstrations. Despite the imposition of a curfew by the government, protesters in Juba engaged in looting Sudanese-owned businesses, resulting in clashes with police forces, who responded with gunfire, leading to additional casualties.
In the town of Aweil, violence has also claimed the lives of nine people, including two South Sudanese and seven Sudanese nationals. The South Sudanese government instituted a curfew on Friday night to mitigate the escalating protests, which have spread to other areas. Police spokesperson John Kassara later reported that the security situation had stabilized following the curfew implementation.
On Saturday evening, Juba experienced a relatively calm atmosphere characterized by a notable police presence, although many Sudanese-owned businesses remained shuttered. President Salva Kiir has urged restraint amid the ongoing unrest. Furthermore, to protect amidst rising tensions, over 600 Sudanese nationals have been taken to the army headquarters, and an additional 278 individuals are under police protection in Central Equatoria.
The ongoing protests in South Sudan emerge amidst heightened tensions due to the violence experienced by South Sudanese citizens in Sudan’s Al-Jazeera state, which left several individuals dead. Since the outbreak of civil war in Sudan in April 2023, many Sudanese nationals have sought refuge in South Sudan, creating a complex humanitarian and security situation. The South Sudanese government is facing the challenge of balancing internal unrest while managing the needs of refugees and maintaining public safety.
The protests in South Sudan, triggered by violence in Sudan, have led to significant unrest, resulting in the deaths of multiple individuals. Despite the government’s implementation of a curfew and attempts to stabilize the situation, tensions remain high as protests continue. Ensuring the safety of both South Sudanese citizens and Sudanese nationals in the country poses a formidable challenge for the South Sudanese government.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
