Police spokesperson Col. Kasara Koang Nhial addresses the media in Juba. (Photo: Michael Daniel).

The spokesperson South Sudan National Police Service said 11 foreign nationals believed to be victims of human trafficking were “apprehended” at the Mangateen residential area in Juba on Monday.

Col. John Kassara stated that the foreigners are suspected to have been smuggled into the country by a network of criminals trafficking in persons.

He however did not explain further on information surrounding the incident, but added an investigation is still ongoing to ascertain the traffickers.

“On the 6th of January 2025, two Eritrean and 9 Somali nationals who were victims of human trafficking were apprehended at Mangateen residential area,” he said in a general security situation update on Wednesday.

“An investigation is going on there is suspected network of smuggling.”

In April 2024, the national cabinet passed the protocols on human trafficking and smuggling of migrants.

A taskforce on combating human trafficking and smuggling of persons submitted the anti-trafficking in persons bill 2024 to the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs for review and presentation to the cabinet in July 2024.

The ministries of Interior and Justice established the body which comprises of legal experts in December 2019 to advise the government on the ratification of relevant conventions and protocol.