At least 16 people were injured, and 58 Sudanese nationals are currently under government protection following violent protests in Jonglei State’s capital, Bor town, on Friday morning.
The protests in 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.
Nyamar Lony Thichiot, the Jonglei State Information Minister, confirmed the unrest in an interview with Radio Tamazuj this afternoon. She assured that the situation is under control as security forces are deployed.
“Violent protests occurred in the main market of Marol. The SSPDF, police, and NSS forces have been deployed by the government of Jonglei State to the market, and the situation is now calm,” she said.
The minister added that the violent protesters, many of whom were hungry, had been dispersed as government troops patrolled the town.
“Our forces are in control of Marol market. Sudanese and other foreign nationals are under our protection. Forty foreign nationals, mostly Sudanese, are seeking refuge in police custody, while 18 others are being protected at the governor’s residence. During the protests, 16 people—both nationals and foreigners—were injured and are now receiving treatment at Bor hospital,” she said.
Resident Kuch Isaiah described the situation as tense, noting that security forces were firing into the air to keep angry civilians away from the market. “Young people, men, and women are streaming to Marol Market to demonstrate their anger over the killing of their fellow citizens in Sudan by the Sudanese army,” he said.
Bol Deng Bol, a civil society activist and executive director of INTREPID South Sudan (ISS), praised the government’s intervention and urged people to refrain from violence.
“It is very unfortunate that our people are directing their anger toward innocent Sudanese living in our country. These people have come here seeking protection as their country undergoes a civil war. While we condemn what happened in Sudan, we should not commit the same wrongs by looting their resources and vandalizing their properties here,” he said. “We also condemn this vandalism by our people.”
He added, “I am grateful to our police for their quick intervention in addressing the situation, although they were overwhelmed by civilians in some parts. To our people, we should not emulate the violence that happened in Sudan. We must promote the image of our country as one that does not resort to violence.”