JUBA, South Sudan — In response to recent unrest, the government of South Sudan has implemented a nationwide curfew that will last from dusk until dawn. This decision follows a night of violence during which commercial establishments owned by Sudanese traders in the capital were targeted and looted.
Police Chief General Abraham Manyuat announced that the curfew will be in effect from 6 p.m. to sunrise in an effort to reduce incidents of looting in Juba and other significant towns. Under the new regulations, all businesses must shut down by 5 p.m. to bolster safety and security measures. “We will ensure the protection of all local markets,” Manyuat emphasized during an appearance on state television.
The violence against Sudanese nationals seems to have been incited by reported killings of South Sudanese individuals by militia factions in remote regions of Sudan earlier in the week. As a result, numerous shops in Juba and surrounding areas remained shuttered on Friday.
Addressing the situation, Lily Adhieu Martin Manyiel, the press secretary for the presidency, called for calm and urged against retaliating against Sudanese traders and refugees currently living in South Sudan. She stated, “We must not let our emotions cloud our judgment or turn against the Sudanese traders and refugees who are part of our communities.”
The ongoing civil conflict in Sudan has triggered a severe hunger crisis, leading to the largest displacement of people in the world. Since fighting erupted in April 2023 between factions loyal to opposing military leaders in the capital of Khartoum, the conflict has expanded to other regions, resulting in widespread atrocities. Reports from the United Nations and human rights organizations have highlighted numerous incidents of ethnically charged violence, including killings and sexual assaults.
