The authorities in Warrap State on Tuesday said they had arrested 22 youths who protested over the alleged killing of South Sudan nationals in Wad Medani in Sudan’s Al Jazirah State.
According to reports, the angry youths vandalized and looted Sudanese businesses in Kuajok and Mayen Abun markets in Twic County.
Officials said premises owned by South Sudanese but leased to the Sudanese were badly damaged and the town council was in the process of cleaning up the ruined markets.
Twic County Commissioner Adhar Akok said 20 youths, including security personnel who stabbed a protester with a knife, were arrested and that he was looking for more culprits to bring to book.
“Yesterday, Monday, after the riots I went with the security forces to Turalei town and proceeded to Mayen Abun, which was badly vandalized. We managed to open Turalei and Wunrok markets and the host community and the Sudanese traders were now living peacefully,” he said.
Akok said the number of those arrested could be higher, pointing out that 19 of them were arrested in Turalei.
“Nineteen youths were arrested in Turalei because they continued looting both the Sudanese and the locals’ properties. The number does not include those arrested in Mayen Abun because the security did not give me a report and the process was ongoing,” he added.
Akok said one security officer was separately arrested because he stabbed a protester and asserted that his administration would quell down the protests.
Warrap State Information and Communication Minister William Wol Mayom also confirmed the arrests.
“Over the weekend Warrap State Governor Marial Abur toured Kuajok market to acquaint himself with the level of damage. The Governor formed a committee to investigate and come up with the estimate of the damage,” he said.
“We have arrested only two ringleaders and some few youths, but the situation is likely to be contained because the Governor yesterday conducted a rally to inform the public about the danger of what they were doing,” he added.