Curfew Imposed In South Sudan Following Deadly Revenge Attacks On Sudanese.
In a bid to quell escalating violence, South Sudan has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew after a series of revenge attacks targeting Sudanese nationals in the capital, Juba, and the north-western town of Aweil.
The attacks, which have left three dead and seven injured, were a response to footage circulating online allegedly showing Sudanese soldiers killing South Sudanese civilians in Wad Madani, Sudan.
President Salva Kiir has urged calm, appealing to citizens not to take the law into their own hands. “We must not allow our grief to turn into actions that only bring more suffering,” he stated in a public address.
The violence erupted after videos purportedly depicting ethnic-targeted killings in Sudan went viral, sparking outrage and calls for retaliation among the South Sudanese populace. In Juba, shops and restaurants, including the well-known ‘London Castle’, were shuttered on Friday as tensions boiled over.
Inspector General Abraham Manyuat Peter announced the curfew, effective from 18:00 to 06:00 local time, to prevent further “violations of public and private property.” Police sources confirm that 45 Sudanese traders in Juba have been rescued and are now under police protection.
The backdrop to these events is the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan, where conflict has displaced millions. South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011 after years of civil war, has seen an influx of Sudanese fleeing the latest round of violence.
The UN reports that half of Sudan’s population is now in desperate need of aid, exacerbated by the conflict that erupted between warring factions in April 2023.
Local police have been actively patrolling, particularly in areas like Atalabara C, where Sudanese residents and their businesses are concentrated. There have been reports of young men moving through neighborhoods, inciting further unrest, leading to a significant police presence to maintain order.
The economic impact was immediately felt in Juba, with bread prices rising by 17% at the few bakeries that dared to open. The largest market, Konyo Konyo, remained closed, reflecting the wider shutdown of commercial activities.
President Kiir condemned the violence in Wad Madani as a “heinous and unacceptable crime,” calling for an investigation by Sudan’s government with international support. Rights groups have reported at least 13 deaths, including children, in these attacks, highlighting ongoing racial tensions.
As the situation develops, Govima will continue to monitor the response from both governments and the international community, aiming to bring peace and justice to those affected by this cross-border conflict.
