Lawmakers in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) on Tuesday resolved to summon ministers that head security sector institutions to explain the escalation of gun crime in Juba City.
The resolution was passed during a heated sitting as the legislators expressed grave concerns over the recent spike in shootings and violent incidents that have resulted in numerous casualties and widespread fear among residents.
Bol Joseph Agau, an MP representing Yirol West County in Lakes State, highlighted the severity of the situation.
“Last week and part of this week, Juba has been gripped by anxiety and fear due to rampant killings and shootings, including a particularly intense incident at the Seventh-Day Roundabout,” he charged. “The level of violence was akin to a battalion battle. There has been too much silence from the executive and we need answers.”
Similarly, Kom Kom Geng, an MP from Northern Bahe el Ghazal State, supported the call for accountability, urging that the relevant ministers be summoned.
“We need to understand why we are allowing such rampant killings,” he stated. “Our people deserve protection, not to be left vulnerable due to inaction.”
Resultantly, TNLA First Deputy Speaker Oyet Nathaniel instructed the legal advisor to expedite the process of summoning the relevant ministers.
“The increasing crime rate reflects the severe situation our citizens are enduring,” he remarked. “The legal advisor has been directed to act promptly on this resolution.”
The wanton violence underscores the criticism of the South Sudanese government’s handling of security issues. Residents have been vocal about their dissatisfaction with the current law enforcement measures and have called for more robust responses to the violence.
On Sunday night, one person was killed and another injured in a shooting incident in the Sherikat suburb of Juba, adding to the city’s rising crime statistics. This incident highlights a disturbing trend of gun-related violence, which many attribute to the country’s severe economic downturn which is exacerbating social tensions.