Kiir instructs the army to step up security in Juba

October 12, 2012 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s President, Salva Kiir, has instructed the army to be vigilant and step up security in and around Juba in order to contain criminals who are trying to cause insecurity in the area.

The head of the information department at Bilpam headquarters of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), Brig. Gen. Malaak Ayuen, on Friday issued a press statement saying this came after the President was briefed by the army leadership on the security situation in the country.

Malaak further explained that Kiir was also briefed on the rumours which circulated on Monday in Juba and the deployment of the military forces, which he said were also positioned around SPLA stations in and around Juba.

He described the deployments as “routine”, but admitted that the situation caused panic in the town.

The rumours of groups trying to cause instability spread on Monday evening while the President was on visit to Uganda to attend the celebration of the 50th anniversary of its independence.

The rumour was however not the first of its kind, such as in August the talk of Juba’s streets was that there had been an attempted coup. The speculation has so far always turned out to be unfounded.

A South Sudanese official, speaking under condition of anonymity, said “this recent instruction to step up security in the town explains the need to seriously address the insecurity situation.”

South Sudan’s army area fighting two low-level and localised rebellions against David Yauyau’s militia based in Jonglei’s Pibor County and the South Sudan Liberation Army (SSLA) based in parts of Unity and Upper Nile states.

(ST)