Juba residents protest over deteriorating security
August 25, 2013 (JUBA) – Hundreds of residents in the South Sudan’s capital, Juba on Sunday took to the streets in protest against the rapidly deteriorating security situation.
South Sudan police spokesperson, James Mande, confirmed the killing of the two officers, one of whom was attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
“Some criminals riding on a boda-boda (motorcycle) stormed the residents of the two officers in Nyakuron West and open fire on them before fleeing,” Mande told Sudan Tribune by phone Monday.
The protest, he said, was sparked off by angry relatives of the deceased, who were later joined by other Juba residents who all decried the rising insecurity levels in the country.
Mande described the killing as “unusual”, but said police had stepped up efforts to contain relative peace and stability in the city.
“We have boosted our patrols in areas within Juba and its surroundings. As I speak now, the situation is calm and back to life is back to normal”, he added.
This latest incident comes less than a week after two brothers were murdered in Hai Tarawa, another Juba suburb, prompting another wave of protests from citizens.
The police, however, said some suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing, while others remain at large.
Demonstrators, irked by the rampant killings, carried bodies of the two slain brothers to the Central Equatoria state legislative assembly, calling on the state government to protect its people.
It remains unknown who is behind the series of murders that have rocked the capital, in recent days.
The police, on Friday, clashed with a group of criminals suspected to be foreign national, during night patrol. Three of them were arrested.
Mande, however, stressed that the police remains in control of the situation and all efforts were underway to improve the situation.
(ST)