South Sudan’s Vice President in charge of the Infrastructure Cluster Gen. Taban Deng Gai issued a strong warning to citizens against taking the law into their own hands, cautioning that such actions could result in imprisonment.
Deng’s warning follows violent demonstrations by angry citizens, mostly youth, across the country starting on Thursday night over the killing of South Sudanese in Sudan’s Al-Jazirah State after the army captured Wad Madeni on 11 January from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
According to Col. Col John Kassara Koang Nhial, the police spokesperson, the protests left several people dead, scores injured and property looted and destroyed across the country.
However, speaking on Saturday in Karbur during the inauguration of a power extension project by the Ministry of Energy and Dams, Vice President Taban Deng said serious measures will be taken against any South Sudanese citizen who still attempts to take the law into their hands.
“They are called North Sudan and we are called South Sudan. Young people, this is wrong. Do not bring shame to South Sudan and your leaders,” he said. “I am happy with what the president said and I am also happy that from yesterday (Friday), there have been no new reports of violence and protests.”
In Juba and other major towns across the country, shops owned by Sudanese nationals have remained closed for fear of looting.
Deng appealed to those whose shops are still closed to reopen, reiterating the government’s commitment to providing security.
“To the traders, please, everyone should go back and open their shops. It is a mistake that has occurred and it is resolved,” he said. “Anyone who will take the law into their hands will face the law as stated by the president. Whoever takes the law into their hands will be put in prison.”
Meanwhile, during a visit to different markets in Juba in the aftermath of the protests, Central Equatoria State Minister of Trade and Industry Wani Tom Sebit urged the public not to take advantage of the current situation to loot shops. He emphasized the state government’s ongoing efforts to maintain security, law, and order, particularly through the deployment of security forces to ensure the safety of traders and their properties.
“The president has issued directives to protect all traders and markets, and the governor’s orders for the protection of people are being implemented,” he said. “This is why you see the deployment of security forces.”
For his part, Major Gen. Dut Makoi, the Director of Juba County Police, reaffirmed the police’s commitment to protect traders and their properties.
“If your shop is closed, you should now open it because the security situation is stable,” he stated. “In Konyokonyo, there has been no looting.”
Meanwhile, Juma Taban Abrama, Deputy Chairperson of the Chamber of Commerce in Kator Block, also appealed to traders to return to normal business operations.
“While the situation was difficult, we thank the organized forces for safeguarding the shops in Konyokonyo market,” he reassured.
Adil Jaffar, Chairperson of the Sudanese Community, called on foreign traders, particularly Sudanese, to resume their regular activities, assuring them that the situation was under control.
“I urge our Sudanese brothers, as well as traders from Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and others, to open their shops and resume work tomorrow (Sunday),” he urged. “The government has committed to protecting us, and we have witnessed that through the deployment of organized forces.’