S. Sudan tightens security during Christmas holidays
December 24, 2014 (JUBA) – South Sudanese authorities have beefed up security in the capital, Juba and other key installations as well as institutions in its environs.
The deputy inspector general of police, Lt. General, Andrew Kuol said on Wednesday that up to 800 heavily and well equipped soldiers with modern weapons have been deployed around Juba town alone to boost security over the Christmas period.
He downplayed the impact of Tuesday’s sporadic shooting heard in different parts Juba, blaming the isolated incident on criminals and bandits within the city’s outskirts.
Kuol, who held a security briefing at the police headquarters in Buluk, assured the members of the public of government’s commitment to ensure peaceful celebrations.
“All the state police commissioners have been fully directed to protect people and their properties in their respective states in accordance with overall security plan.” Kuol said.
“Juba has been divided into five zones with high ranking officer in- charge of the joint forces which have been deployed,” he added.
He further said a central operational center will work on a 24-hour basis to receive and share information with zonal commanders.
The deputy police boss further warned police officers found involved in illicit practices during Christmas and the New Year celebrations would be punished.
“Drunkenness in uniform will be considered as serious misconduct one important warning .No shooting, no shooting, no shooting during Christmas and the New Year celebrations shall be allowed. Any violation will lead to legal measures; the emergency call hotline triple 7 or 777 will be on service 24 hours basis,” he stressed.
“The public is adviced to make the best use of it.”
On Tuesday, president Salva Kiir called for an emergency cabinet meeting and urged the public not to worry about Juba’s security situation. All, he said, was under control.
Some analysts, however, blame the country’s authorities of trying to downplay a situation where people are allegedly picked from their homes and killed without police actions.
“It is true many soldiers are on the road patrolling but many people are asking themselves if actually they are doing their job because cases of people’s houses being broken into and being women raped at gunpoint, some driven away on motor bike widely known as boda boda before police have never stopped. They are rising rapidly”, said Mawien Garang, a Juba resident who hails from Northern Bahr el Ghazal state.
(ST)