Almost 200 detainees escaped following violent protests in South Sudan over the killing of South Sudanese in Sudan. The protests turned to looting, leading to a mass jailbreak from a military facility in Juba. While 410 of the escapees have been recaptured, authorities continue to search for the remaining 190 individuals. The unrest has prompted curfews and underlined ongoing political instability in South Sudan.
JUBA — Following protests in South Sudan that escalated into looting, nearly 200 detainees remain at large after a significant jailbreak. The unrest in the capital, Juba, last week was sparked by reports of violent clashes in neighboring Sudan that reportedly claimed 29 South Sudanese lives, leading to widespread anger. This turmoil led to extensive looting of Sudanese-owned businesses, with police responding forcefully, resulting in numerous arrests, though exact figures have not been confirmed.
According to police spokesperson John Kassara, on Wednesday, 600 individuals detained in connection with the looting escaped from a military detention center in a Juba district around 9:30 AM. Among the escapees, 550 are civilians while 50 are identified as members of organized forces, which include armed forces or police. He reported that military police fired shots into the air in an attempt to re-capture the escapees, successfully apprehending 410, yet 190 remain unaccounted for.
The public unrest has led to severe casualties, with at least 16 Sudanese nationals killed and dozens more injured. In response to the violence, authorities have imposed a night curfew, while President Salva Kiir has urged for calm. Although the situation started to stabilize by the weekend, the curfew remains in effect.
Since South Sudan’s separation from Sudan in 2011, the country has faced continuous political turmoil, economic trouble, and environmental concerns. Hundreds of thousands of South Sudanese have fled to Sudan; however, the ongoing civil war that erupted in Sudan in 2023 has resulted in many returning to South Sudan. The United Nations indicated that the majority of individuals fleeing the conflict have been South Sudanese, while thousands of Sudanese are also relocating southwards to escape the ongoing violence between rival factions.
The recent unrest in South Sudan has roots in widespread outrage over the conflict in neighboring Sudan, exacerbated by political instability and economic hardship within South Sudan itself. Following violent protests that turned into looting primarily targeting Sudanese businesses, a significant jailbreak occurred, highlighting the challenges of maintaining order amid civil unrest. The situation exemplifies the broader regional instability affecting both nations, as South Sudan continues to grapple with the aftermath of its secession from Sudan while contending with its domestic crises.
The recent events in South Sudan underscore the fragile security situation following a series of violent protests resulting in a mass jailbreak. As authorities work to recapture the escapees, the continued violence has led to curfews and heightened tensions, demonstrating the ongoing challenges faced by the nation. These developments not only reflect local discontent but also highlight the ripple effects of conflict in the region, illustrating a dire need for stability.
Original Source: jordantimes.com
