The latest unrest has left multiple fatalities and injuries as the community grapples with escalating ethnic-based violence stemming from the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
Curfew Imposed Amid Violence in South Sudan Following Attacks on Sudanese Nationals
Curfew Imposed Amid Violence in South Sudan Following Attacks on Sudanese Nationals
A nightly curfew has been enacted in South Sudan's capital as tensions rise after violent reprisals against Sudanese citizens.
As violence escalates in South Sudan due to retaliatory attacks on Sudanese nationals, authorities have implemented a nightly curfew in an effort to restore order. The curfew prohibits residents from being outside between 6 PM and 6 AM, as confirmed by police chief Insp Gen Abraham Manyuat Peter, who cited the need to safeguard public and private property.
Tensions flared following a video that surfaced showing the killing of South Sudanese civilians by alleged Sudanese soldiers, igniting outrage among local communities. Over the past few days, police reports indicate that three people have died and several others injured during confrontations in Juba and the northwestern town of Aweil. The nationalities of those killed remain undisclosed, but violence ensued when hundreds of young South Sudanese men attacked Sudanese-owned businesses in retaliation for the perceived injustices against their fellow countrymen.
The situation led to the destruction of Sudanese properties; three homes were reported set ablaze in Aweil. Police have increased their presence to protect Sudanese citizens, with reports of officers rescuing dozens of Sudanese traders in Juba who sought shelter at a police station.
The backdrop of this turmoil is a broader humanitarian crisis in Sudan, where a conflict erupted in April 2023, displacing millions and leaving half of its population—approximately 25 million people—urgently in need of assistance. The United Nations has termed it one of the world's most severe humanitarian emergencies.
In addition to the immediate violence, bread prices surged by 17% in Juba due to the unrest, with shops and markets closing as owners took precautions against potential looting. Demonstrations have also been reported in other areas, including Tonj town.
As the situation continues to evolve, the South Sudanese government faces the challenge of addressing both the violence and the underlying ethnic tensions that have festered due to regional conflicts. International observers are watching closely as this crisis threatens to further destabilize a region already fraught with strife and humanitarian needs.
Tensions flared following a video that surfaced showing the killing of South Sudanese civilians by alleged Sudanese soldiers, igniting outrage among local communities. Over the past few days, police reports indicate that three people have died and several others injured during confrontations in Juba and the northwestern town of Aweil. The nationalities of those killed remain undisclosed, but violence ensued when hundreds of young South Sudanese men attacked Sudanese-owned businesses in retaliation for the perceived injustices against their fellow countrymen.
The situation led to the destruction of Sudanese properties; three homes were reported set ablaze in Aweil. Police have increased their presence to protect Sudanese citizens, with reports of officers rescuing dozens of Sudanese traders in Juba who sought shelter at a police station.
The backdrop of this turmoil is a broader humanitarian crisis in Sudan, where a conflict erupted in April 2023, displacing millions and leaving half of its population—approximately 25 million people—urgently in need of assistance. The United Nations has termed it one of the world's most severe humanitarian emergencies.
In addition to the immediate violence, bread prices surged by 17% in Juba due to the unrest, with shops and markets closing as owners took precautions against potential looting. Demonstrations have also been reported in other areas, including Tonj town.
As the situation continues to evolve, the South Sudanese government faces the challenge of addressing both the violence and the underlying ethnic tensions that have festered due to regional conflicts. International observers are watching closely as this crisis threatens to further destabilize a region already fraught with strife and humanitarian needs.
