By Philip Buda Ladu
At least sixteen Sudanese nationals have been killed in South Sudan following violent protests sparked by the recent massacre of South Sudanese citizens in Wad El Madeni, Al Gezira State, Sudan.
The South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) confirmed the deaths and reported widespread unrest across several states in the country.
According to a security report summary released and extended to this outlet yesterday by SSNPS spokesperson Col. John Kassara Koang, the protests, carried out by unidentified angered South Sudanese, targeted Sudanese residents in retaliation for the killings in Sudan.
Joint security forces however intervened to protect Sudanese nationals, sheltering hundreds in police and military facilities in Juba and across the states.
“During the chaotic situation, the South Sudan National Police Service immediately intervened and managed to rescue a good number of Sudanese,” Col. Koang stated. “551 were hosted in C.I.D main premise, 278 in Central Equatoria State’s police premise, as well as an unrecorded number were rescued in other States for protection purposes.”
Despite these efforts, 16 Sudanese were killed across four states: 3 in Central Equatoria State, 9 in Northern Bahr Al Ghazal State, 3 in Western Bahr Al Ghazal State and 1 in Upper Nile State.
The report also detailed instances of looting targeting Sudanese-owned shops and wholesale businesses in Central Equatoria, Warrap, Northern Bahr Al Ghazal, and Jonglei States.
On Sunday, after a tour around the market in Juba City Council, the Central Equatoria State Chamber of Commerce stated that approximately 15 shops were broken into and looted across the city.
Col. Koang, said SSNPS has opened numerous criminal cases related to the violence, apprehended several perpetrators, and launched an ongoing investigation.
On Monday morning, the process of transferring and transporting those registered as refugees to Gorom began from police premises in Buluk, the police spokesman added.
“We are assuring the public that the police will continue to deploy its forces in the main markets as well as routinely patrolling in residential areas to prevent crimes, maintain order and ensuring the safety of both Nationals and Foreign Nationals residing in the Republic of South Sudan,” Col. Koang concluded.
The SSNPS has pledged to release further details as the situation develops.