The number of Sudanese killed during the violent demonstrations sparked by anger over the killing of South Sudanese in Sudan’s Al-Jazirah State, has risen to 16, police said.
The South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) Spokesperson, Col John Kassara Koang Nhial, confirmed the fatalities in four states.
“Unfortunately, 16 Sudanese nationals were reported killed in 4 states as follows: 3 in Central Equatoria, 9 in Northern Bahr el-Ghazal , 3 in Western Bahr el-Gazal and 1 in Upper Nile,” Nhial told Radio Tamazuj on Monday.
He said the police had rescued 2,990 Sudanese who were now seeking shelter and protection at various police stations in Juba.
Early this week, gruesome videos circulating on social media of South Sudanese killed in Wad Medani, the capital of Al Jazirah State, raised concern about the safety of thousands who have been stranded in Sudan.
The killings, after the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) took control of Wad Medani from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Saturday, 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.
SSNPS immediately intervened and managed to rescue a number of Sudanese, who were later hosted in different premises, with 551 at the CID main premise, 278 in Central Equatoria State’s police premise and 2,061 in Wau police premises. An unrecorded number were rescued in other states, Nhial disclosed.
He said there were no reported cases of looting of Sudanese owned shops in some States, including Central Equatoria, Warrap, Northern Bahr el-Gazal and Jonglei states.
The spokesperson said they had arrested several people who looted and vandalized shops in various residential areas across the country, adding that they had transferred those seeking refuge at Buluk headquarters to the Gorom settlement.
“We are assuring the public that the police will continue to deploy its forces in the main markets as well as routinely patrolling in residential areas to prevent crimes, maintain order and ensuring the safety of both nationals and foreigners residing in the Republic of South Sudan.”