South Sudan Inspector General of Police Pieng Deng Kuol has warned the public not to discharge their weapons during the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations.

“The state police commissioners have been directed to provide adequate security coverage for the celebrations in their areas of responsibility,” he said. “SSPNS will work together with other security organs… to ensure peace and security.”

That will include continuous patrols throughout residential neighborhoods and public venues, including around religious institutions. He declined to say how many forces would be deployed.

Kuol also warned security forces that any incidents of drunkenness will not be tolerated.

Emergency call operations

Kuol said the police are also responding to complaints of slow responses to emergency calls to 777 – the 24-hour security number.

He said part of the problem is that the number is linked to one mobile operator and if its services go down then so does the emergency number. There are also limited police cars, which can delay responses.

There are still plans underway to launch the 777 service in Wau – making it the second town outside of Juba. Police are also looking to expand to Bor, Bentiu and Malakal once peace is established in the country.