Tensions have risen in Juba after 600 suspects detained over recent violent demonstrations sparked by anger over the killing of South Sudanese in Wad Medani in Sudan’s Al-Jazirah State, escaped from the military detention facility at Gaida.
The detainees, including 550 civilians and 50 soldiers, were reportedly involved in violent demonstrations that looted thousands of items and destroyed several shops in Juba.
South Sudan Police Spokesperson Col John Kassara Nhial told Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday that the military police shot in the air while pursuing them towards the local market.
“Some prisoners who robbed shops during the violent protests in Juba as a result of massacres of South Sudanese by the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) in the Wad Medani city of Al-Jazirah State broke out from the military police detention facility in Gaida this morning at 9.30am,” Nhial said.
Nhial disclosed that they managed to re-arrest 410 of the escapees and they were still pursuing the remaining 190 prisoners.
“The military police shot in the air while pursuing them toward the local market and managed to re-arrest 410 and they are still pursuing the remaining 190 prisoners,” he said.
Early this week, gruesome videos circulating on social media of South Sudanese killed in Wad Medani, raised concern about the safety of thousands who have been stranded in Sudan.
The killings, after SAF took control of Wad Medani from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), sparked violent protests in Juba and other cities in South Sudan on Thursday night and Friday morning.
The protests were met with a heavy police response, leading to arrests, though those detained were later released.
Some Sudanese-owned shops were vandalized and looted, prompting the government to impose a nationwide curfew early Friday.