The Inspector General of the South Sudan National Police Service (IGP) on Friday ordered a countrywide dusk-to-dawn curfew following Thursday night’s protests and looting of shops of Sudanese traders in Juba.
This development follows the brutal killing of South Sudanese nationals in Sudan`s Gezira State following the takeover of the town by the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) last weekend.
Speaking to the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), General Abraham Manyuat said shops and food stalls should close before 6 p.m. and assured the public that the police would protect the lives the property of all the people.
“I would like to assure the citizens that police officers are responsible for their lives and property, they are responsible for public order and public health and the public has the freedom to move and to work, they can do whatever they want,” he said. “However, we can take additional measures for example, we should be ready to close work from 6 p.m.”
Gen. Manyuat however said that the night protests were not related to the incident in Sudan but orchestrated by criminals. He called for cooperation between the public and the police to ensure security for the citizens.
He clarified that pharmacies and small markets in suburbs will remain open 24 hours so that people can access essential services but that main markets and warehouses will remain closed to protect them from criminals who might want to loot and or torch them.
According to the police chief, additional measures have been put in place to prevent any violations of public and private property, and they are closely monitoring the situation. He called on citizens to report any criminal activities, stressing that the police will not tolerate any violations that harm public security and will deal with perpetrators according to the law.