Western Barh El Ghazal State - South Sudan

The Western Bahr el Ghazal State government has announced plans to prioritize addressing the rising numbers of gang groups and street children in Wau town.

According to the Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Acting Information Minister, the peaceful celebration of Christmas in the state, with no incidents reported, was overshadowed by the rapid growth of gang groups and street children, particularly during festive celebrations.

Arkangelo Anyar Anyar emphasized that these gangs posed a threat to celebrants, despite efforts by the police to maintain order.

Speaking to Eye Radio on Sunday, December 29, from Wau, Anyar revealed that the state government has developed strategies to address the rising gang problem in the town.

He outlined plans that include the establishment of Vocational Training Centers and partnerships with local NGOs to provide youth training and opportunities for a brighter future.

“The minister of labour with the ministry of youth are establishing the training centres for those who will be trained on vocational training to be a builder, be a carpenter, be a mechanic such that they can take themselves,” Anyar stated.

“We have engaged the NGOs which are having special work with this to find out, now the screening is going on as the government to find out the root causes of them being in the street,” he said.

“This is the other part taken, and the government has mobilized the organization. We have taken it seriously because it is affecting our communities.”

Minister Anyar added that the government plans to engage gang groups and street children by working with their families to help remove them from the streets.