Police detain dozens of street children in Wau
October 14, 2014 (WAU) – Police in South Sudan’s Western Bahr el Ghazal state have arrested dozens of street children in the capital, Wau, following the death of a child last week.
The victim’s body was discovered on 10 October opposite a restaurant in Jau market.
Hundreds of angry street children, who live a largely hand to mouth existence in the capital, hurled stones at shops and local residents in Wau’s overcrowded market place following the child’s death.
The children are demanding an immediate investigation into the death and for those responsible to be held accountable.
“We are demanding the truth to prevail. The death of our fellow is at the hands to the traders within the market,” one homeless boy who did not want to be named told Sudan Tribune.
State police administrator Achuil Achuil told the media that the detained children would remain in police custody while a proper inquiry is conducted into the child’s death.
Achuil confirmed a suspect had been arrested, but said police were still investigating the cause of death.
“There are not yet clear details leading to the death of the child as [the] medical report showed no sign of corporeal harm, but showed inner bleeding which led to the death,” he said.
Western Bahr el Ghazal state hosts hundreds of street children mainly from the neighbouring states of Warrap, Lakes and Northern Bahr el Ghazal.
Many are involved in petty crime such as breaking and entering and night robberies.
In 2011 there was an attempt by authorities to deport the children back to their home states, however, most ultimately returned to Wau, citing the better living conditions in Western Bahr el Ghazal,
During the December 2012 Wau crisis, street children reportedly set fire to houses in Jau market and were also involved in inciting panic and unrest in Wau town following the eruption of violence in the capital, Juba, in mid-December last year.
Street children have subsequently become a target for local police, particularly in Wau’s market areas.
(ST)