Interior Minister Angelina Teny (right) and Deputy Mangar Buong address the media on Friday, Jan 17, 2025. (Photo: Michael Daniel).
The Ministry of Interior has disclosed that several individuals including individuals in “military uniforms” were arrested in connection with the vandalism and looting of shops owned by Sudanese citizens in Juba on Thursday night.
Interior Minister Angelina Teny confirmed that members of the organized forces were among those detained for alleged involvement in theft and chaos.
The Minister said civilians accused of destroying and stealing property have also been arrested and are being held at various police stations.
Ms. Teny announced a dawn to dusk curfew and added that law enforcement agencies are working to restore order. She added that if the security situation improves, the curfew hours may be adjusted to start at 8:00 PM.
The security official said police authorities are working to stabilize the city and ensure the safety of lives and property.
Addressing the media in Juba on Friday, the minister of interior said the curfew aims to prevent gatherings that contributed to the night-time thefts.
“There are a number of members of the regular forces who were arrested yesterday (Thursday) in the chaos that occurred while they were trying to steal,” Angelina said.
“There are also a number of civilians who were arrested accused of destroying and stealing the property of others. They are present in the various police stations. We are currently working to return things to normal today or tomorrow.”
“Even if security improves, we will work to maintain the security situation in the city to preserve lives and property. From today, the curfew will begin from six in the evening until six in the morning.”
“Tomorrow, if conditions improve, we will extend the time from six in the evening until eight in the evening. The goal of this is to monitor the gatherings that were the cause of the thefts, which occurred at night.”
On Friday, the Inspector General of Police said the government is was considering imposing a night-time curfew from 6pm to 6am to ensure properties and businesses are protected.
This came after number of markets in Juba were attacked by angry youth targeting Sudanese-owned shops in an apparent reprisal for the reported killing of South Sudanese citizens in Sudan’s Al-Jazira state.
Minister Angelina Teny further said that the situation has caused another humanitarian disaster in the country, by forcing the government to direct its limited resources to providing security.
“There is a displacement of large numbers of Sudanese refugees who have been displaced from their homes and are gathered in the security headquarters of the security apparatus,” the minister said.
“They are at police headquarters and police stations in an inhumane situation because some of them have been captured and this situation is not good. We have created another humanitarian disaster.”
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