By William Madouk
Police has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew following a night of chaos caused by angry citizens protesting the killing of South Sudanese in Wad Madani, El Gezira State by Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
On Thursday night, heavy gunfire erupted in several parts of the city and surrounding states as police worked to disperse the protestors.
Reports indicate incidents of looting and vandalism targeting shops and businesses believed to be owned by Sudanese traders.
Inspector General of Police, Gen. Abraham Manyuat, announced that to prevent further vandalism, looting, and targeted attacks against Sudanese citizens, a curfew would be enforced from 6 PM to 6 AM.
“This morning [yesterday], a number of protestors came in a big number and they came specifically to Custom and Konyo konyo markets and as you know these two markets contain two-thirds of food commodities,” IGP Manyuat told the state-owned radio/TV SSBC.
“So, if these markets get looted or catch fire it will be disastrous and both citizens and government will face a severe consequence,” he added.
According to police, the curfew will last until further notice to enhance public safety and law enforcement operations.
By press time, the police did not disclose how many shops were destroyed or looted nor mention casualties and injuries.
Citizens are advised to adhere to the directive to avoid conflicts with security personnel.
“So, we are protecting those markets with all we can,” IGP alleged that some youths were used for other purposes and not because they are annoyed but because they had a clandestine agenda,” the IGP added.
“I want to assure the citizens that police are responsible for protecting their lives, properties and public order they have the right of movement to do their work,” the chief police noted.
“We will make extra addition so that there will be curfew from 6 pm to 6 am to reduce the outlaws from using dark to implement their [secret] agendas,” he continued.
The police chief advised the traders to close their businesses as early as 5 pm to safeguard their goods protections.
Gen. Manyuat explained that places like hospitals and pharmacies would remain open 24/7.
He also added that small markets in the areas including shops would be operational but main markets will remain closed.
He urged the public to cooperate and report any criminal activities for an early intervention from a law enforcement agency.
The gruesome killing of a South Sudan national by the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) sparked broader condemnations from citizens and the national parliament.
The graphic footage circulating online depicts defenseless South Sudanese being rounded up, brutalized, and killed, allegedly by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
On Wednesday, the First Deputy Speaker of the National Parliament, Oyet Nathaniel told journalists that “It was disappointing and shocking that we receive reports, very gruesome reports, of the extermination, targeted killing of our citizens in the Sudan.”
Oyet said citizens of both countries have been living peacefully in two states after the separation, however, Sudan continues to violate this brotherly coexistence.
The first deputy speaker alleged that South Sudanese are being targeted in the areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the areas controlled by the Sudan Armed Forces.
“RSF and Sudan Armed Forces, they bear responsibility of command and control over their forces. Anything happening in the areas of their control, we take it as the responsibility of these factions,” he noted.