The South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) has voiced concerns over the increasing deportation of South Sudanese nationals from several countries.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Police Spokesperson Col. John Kassara Koang Nhial said that within the past week, Egypt alone conducted three deportation flights, alongside other cases from Turkey, and the Maldives.
“This week, a significant number of South Sudanese were forcibly returned from Egypt, Turkey, and the Maldives, with Egypt leading the deportations,” he said.
The police spokesperson explained that the rise in deportations highlights the ongoing challenges faced by South Sudanese abroad, including visa violations, irregular documentation, and limited consular support, among others.
Col. Kassara also called on the government to address the root causes of deportations, including improving the welfare of South Sudanese citizens abroad.
While deportations were a major highlight of the security briefing, Col. Kassara also provided updates on various incidents across the country, including fires and suicide.
He said fire outbreaks in Juba’s Konyo-Konyo Market, Two Brothers Disco Club in Malakia, and the Gumbo-Sherikat suburb east of Juba, resulted in the deaths of two Ugandan nationals and one South Sudanese.
The police spokesperson added that armed robberies and motorcycle thefts were also reported in the Jebel Lemon and Mauna areas of Juba.
He reported that two suicide cases were registered in Eastern Equatoria State involving female and male victims in Nimule and Kapoeta respectively. Additionally, a 32-year-old woman was found dead in Torit’s Murahari residential area.
According to Col. Kassara, Jonglei and Unity states are grappling with a cholera outbreak.
“In Jonglei, seven lives were lost in just one week.” He said. “Unity State’s Rubkona area is also heavily impacted, with NGOs raising concerns about the rising death toll and insufficient medical resources.”
Meanwhile, in Warrap State armed violence claimed six lives in Tonj North, Tonj South, and Twic counties and in Western Equatoria State, Tribal tensions between the Balanda and Zande communities remain unresolved, perpetuating fear and insecurity, the police spokesperson said.
“In the Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, two suicide cases involving a pre-teen in Aweil North and a 28-year-old man in Aweil town were reported,” he stated.
He also urged citizens within the country to collaborate with security forces to enhance safety, especially during the festive season.
“The increased deportations and other incidents across the nation paint a picture of the challenges we face,” said Col. Kassara. “We must work together to build a safer and more secure future for all.”