By Hou Akot Hou
Authorities in Aweil Town have announced a strict curfew, prohibiting movement in the market area after 5:00 PM.
The measure aims to address ongoing concerns about looting and allow businesses to recover following recent unrest and applies specifically to the market area where Sudanese and South Sudanese traders have shops.
The order comes after reports of continued attempts to loot businesses at night, hindering recovery efforts and preventing traders from resuming normal operations.
“We don’t want you to move after 5:00 towards 6:00 if you are found then the police personnel will deal with you as per the directives from the local government,” Guot Guot Akol, the police spokesperson for Northern Bahr El Ghazal police declares to the press.
“This is meant to help the local business people not to get worried about their goods getting lost again as there are reports of people still on a looting spree,” he lamented.
He explained that the curfew will enable business owners to feel secure about their merchandise.
He also cautioned traders against remaining in their shops beyond the 5:00 PM curfew, warning that they too could face consequences.
The curfew follows the unrest sparked by the killing of South Sudanese in Al Gezira, Sudan, which led to widespread disruptions and damage across the country, including looting and vandalism of shops in Aweil.
The new measures are intended to bring stability back to the town and allow businesses to thrive.