At least three people were killed and seven others injured during a protest in Juba on Thursday night.
The protests in Juba and other parts of South Sudan were sparked by the killing of several South Sudanese nationals, which was captured on camera after the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) captured Wad Medani on Saturday.
Early this week, gruesome videos circulating on social media of South Sudanese killed in Wad Madani, the capital of Al Jazirah State, raised concern about the safety of thousands who have been stranded in Sudan.
Wad Madani, located 87 miles (140 km) south of Khartoum, was seized by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) about a year ago, before being recaptured by the Sudanese military on Saturday.
Col. John Kassara Koang Nhial, spokesperson for the South Sudan National Police Service, confirmed the fatalities and injuries. He said the protest, which turned violent, began around 8:00 p.m. in several residential areas of Juba, including Gudele One, Gudele Two, Mangatain, Jebel Dinka, Jaborona, New Site, and Nyakuron.
“The incident resulted in the shooting of seven people, with three confirmed dead. Shops were looted, and the injured victims were taken to Juba Teaching Hospital for medical treatment,” Nhial told Radio Tamazuj on Friday.
Nhial also noted that a similar outbreak of violence occurred in Aweil on Thursday, particularly in Hai Salam, Naivasha, and Maderiya. There, three houses belonging to Sudanese nationals in the Mathiang residential area were set on fire.
“The protests in both Juba and Aweil were triggered by the killing of innocent South Sudanese citizens by Sudanese Army Forces in Wad Madani,” Nhial explained.
The police managed to rescue 45 Sudanese traders in Juba, and they are now being housed at a secure police facility. Further details on their safety and the ongoing investigation will be provided soon, he added.
“We assure the people of South Sudan and foreign nationals that the police will continue its efforts to protect lives and property in Juba and other towns across the country,” Nhial said.