The Inspector-General of the South Sudan National Police Service, General Majak Akech Malok, has said the police and other security forces will be deployed in all suburbs and highways in and around Juba to beef up and ensure security in the capital ahead of the festive season. 

“As organized forces of our beloved Republic of South Sudan, we are ready to protect you, the civilians, and your properties as our responsibility to the nation and that you should celebrate in peace,” Akech said. “Be sure that we are ready to beef up the security in the Republic of South Sudan, particularly capital Juba. The necessary measures have been taken to safeguard the wellbeing of civilians and their properties during the festive season.” 

He urged people to cooperate with the security organs who will be deployed in the residential areas and along the highways.

In Kapoeta town of Eastern Equatoria State, authorities say they have formed a joint patrol team composed of all organized forces to curb crime during the festivities. 

According to the secretary-general of the now-defunct Kapoeta State, David Eriga, the patrol teams will begin their work on 23rd December till 3rd January 2021. 

“All departments combined, SSPDF soldiers and all other organized forces which includes police, prison warders, wildlife and civil defense, have already formed and they will start their work next tomorrow 23rd December,” according to Eriga. “They will start but we have normal patrols every day. This joint patrol team will organize and maintain peace and order, the rule of law will be in place, people will dance throughout the night and those who are drunk or misbehave will be taken care of to ensure peaceful celebrations.” 

Paul Eric, the director-general for local government in the now-defunct Kapoeta State confirmed the formation of the joint patrol teams and urged the population to celebrate and move freely without interference.

“As local government, we wish our people a Merry Christmas of 2020. We wish them a peaceful coexistence with everybody. Peace is something very essential that is basic for everybody to perform your work. What we have decided is that the policemen are there to patrol the town so that people move freely and go for prayers even at night,” Eric stated.

Meanwhile, Esther Mimi, a Kapoeta resident called for stability in the state during the Christmas celebrations. 

“We need to be safe, the security forces should stand firm to protect people during this Christmas. Even if you are poor you will also show happiness like others. People want to dance but security should work with citizens very well, they should be scattered to all Bomas like other years,” Mimi said. 

“I need the government to bring us money (salaries) to help us. How are we going to buy flour? They should just bring for us our 1,100 SSP so that one may grind even one bowl and one buys vegetables for 300 SSP,” Mimi pleaded. 

In Malakal, the Upper Nile State capital, police have assured citizens of their safety as they beefed up security ahead of the Christmas and New Year celebrations. 

The state police commissioner, Chol Atem Jongeth, told Radio Tamazuj yesterday that all the necessary arrangements have been made to ensure safe and happy celebrations during the festive season. 

“We divided the town of Malakal into four zones—the north, the south, the west, and the central. We established posts and deployed members of a joint operation to those areas. In the southern areas like Asosa, Bam, and Hai Tarawa, the population is high. So we made more deployments there,” Atem said.

He added, “Regular patrols have also been ongoing in those areas. And in the surrounding villages, authorities have been directed and similar measures have been taken. So, like the past year, we hope this year’s celebrations will be peaceful. “

Ajak Wer Lual, the secretary-general of Upper Nile State, also assured Malakal residents of safety, saying the government has provided all the necessities for the security forces to perform their duties.

Juba residents have often complained of extortion, especially by men in uniform during the Christmas season.

President Salva Kiir and the former minister of defense, Kuol Manyang, who is now a senior presidential advisor, have severally blamed some of the night robberies on members of the organized forces, including elements of national security, police, and the army.

Some observers believe that some soldiers commit night crimes because of their poor living conditions as the government offers them a little salary that is paid irregularly, sometimes after nearly six months.