Commissioner of Juba appeals for calm after celebratory gunfire, murders
By Isaac Vuni
January 2, 2009 (JUBA) — The Commissioner of Juba County, Pious Subek, appealed to residents in Juba city to remain calm following unauthorized random shootings by soldiers celebrating the end of 2008 and entry into the new year 2009, an event compounded in being marked as the 53rd Anniversary of Sudan Independence.
Commissioner Subek said the rampant shooting, which started at 11:00 pm from military barracks and spread like burning fires into residential areas, has created panic and fears among peace-loving people.
Similarly, in a statement over Southern Sudan Radio, the SPLA Spokesman Lt. Colonel Malek Aywen Ajok apologized to people in Juba for what he termed unauthorized shooting by soldiers joined by opportunists celebrating the New Year.
The Lt. Colonel further assured people in Juba city that SPLA and the Government of Southern Sudan have not authorized such shooting, therefore it will immediately investigate and bring those involved to book.
“If there was official approval, the public would have been informed on the type of guns to be used on such jubilant days in history of Sudan 53rd Independence Anniversary,” Lt. Colonel elucidated.
Local fears have been worsened by the murder of four youth at Nyakuron West by unknown gunmen while riding on bikes to attend midnight prayer at Kator Cathedral.
On behalf of the Eastern Equatoria Governor, Commissioner Subek extends condolences to families and relatives of the murdered youth on that fateful night.
The victims are Mogga Loro, son of former governor of Equatoria from the Bari tribe, Sarah Kasara Adui Madi from Moli, Bosco Tabule from the Kakuwa tribe and Musa Lado from the Lolubo tribe.
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Gatwech
Commissioner of Juba appeals for calm after celebratory gunfire, murders
What a madness!
May God rest their souls in eternal peace. The criminals who started shooting should be arrested, investigated and prosecuted. The SPLA should be serious in handling the security of Juba town. People should not celebrate in that uncivilized manner by randomly shooting in residential areas. I believe the person(s) who started the shooting intended to create chaos in the town.
Justin Chicago opiny
Commissioner of Juba appeals for calm after celebratory gunfire, murders
You see, there is no dicipline in the SPLA this situation must be corrected as the Spla is being transformed into a
conventional Army. We have had alot of problems by the
spla Soldiers, soldiers doing what they want to do as if the
rebel movement is still in the bush.
Mr.Nhial, the defense Minister must muscle up to bring the
soldiers who are misbehaving to book and if possible be removed from the Army. Random shootings was the cause of the death of the inocent civilians.We have always praised the good work of the Spla soldiers during the struggle why don,t
carry on as before you have a big task to accomplish get it done and then relax. It is too early to celebrate as the CPA still remains a thorn in the flesh.