150 military police deployed to boost security in Yambio

March 10, 2016 – (YAMBIO) – Government of South Sudan has deployed a company of the South Sudanese army (SPLA) military police comprising 150 men to join hands with the civil national police to boost security, maintain law and order in Yambio county of Western Equatoria state.

The newly appointed governor of the newly created Gbudue state (Western Equatoria), Major General Patrick Raphael Zamoi, declared on Tuesday to thousands of citizens who gathered to celebrate the International Women’s Day in Yambio, that due to reports and complaints from the local people about harassment, looting and burning of houses from elements of soldiers, a company of SPLA military police has arrived in Yambio to protect the community.

“There are some people who are seen with red cap on their heads who are soldiers, those ones are not fighters they have come to join the civil police here to protect you,” Zamoi said.

He stated that the military police will be interested to deal with the soldiers who have been harassing the people or looting properties in the town.

“People should not be scared by them because I informed you before that we shall receive a team from Juba who will come to base in Yambio to work together with police,” he said.

Community leaders in Yambio and human rights groups have reported that SPLA participated in killing of civilians, looting, and raping in Western Equatoria state during the conflict which engulfed the state since last year.

Also armed youth are accused of killings, rape and looting on roads and in homes is some areas in Yambio county and in other counties in the state.

According to some eyewitnesses, the military police started arresting any soldier found with military uniform in the bars and in the market with exception of those on duty who are allowed to dress smart and not move with guns in the residential areas.

The state authority and SPLA leadership in Yambio recovered a good number of valuable items in the hands of individual soldiers which were looted during the conflict. According to the governor, the military police will also monitor movement of valuable items in the hands of the soldiers and thieves at night.

Western Equatoria has been experiencing insecurity of which several armed groups are fighting with the government forces in several counties in greater Western Equatoria state. Many people in those counties are reportedly killed and thousands fled their homes to the bushes and others to the neighbouring Congo.

(ST)