A relative calm has returned to the Jonglei State capital, Bor, with traders reopening shops and stalls in the main market following last week’s violent protests over the gruesome massacre of dozens of South Sudanese nationals in the neighboring Sudan.
Violent protests erupted in Bor Town on Friday morning when some residents took the streets and invaded the main Marol Market following the emergence of videos of gruesome murders of South Sudanese nationals in Wad Madeni in Sudan’s Al Jazirah State after it was recaptured by from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) by the Sudan Armed Force (SAF) on 11 January.
16 people were injured while thousands of Sudanese nationals sought protection from the Jonglei State government since Friday. In other parts of the country, similar protests were reported.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Monday, Nyamar Lony, the Jonglei State information minister, said the Sudanese nationals started returning to their homes and that the market is now open to the public after its forced closure following the unrest.
“Sudanese nationals at the police and the residences of the governor and his deputy have returned home. Only about 700 others at the military barrack have yet to return,” she stated. “The market is now open following the state government’s order. The market will open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. while the dusk-to-dawn curfew will remain.”
Minister Lony added: “The police and army will also remain deployed for the next 3 to 4 days until the situation completely normalizes.”
For his part, Bor Mayor Jacob Achiek assured all foreign nationals of their safety.
“The government of Jonglei State is capable and stands with the traders and that is why men in uniforms are here,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Abdelrahman Ahmed, the chairperson of the Sudanese Traders’ Association in Bor, commended the government’s swift intervention following the unrest.
“On behalf of all Sudanese, I am thankful to the state government for keeping security and stability in the Bor market,” he said. “We are also thankful for the protection of lives of Sudanese nationals and traders.”