South Sudan has enacted a nightly curfew following revenge attacks on Sudanese nationals, resulting in deaths and injuries. The unrest has been spurred by recent violence in Sudan, leading to increased hostility toward Sudanese businesses in South Sudan. A significant police presence is being deployed to protect vulnerable communities as the humanitarian crisis deepens.
South Sudan has imposed a nightly curfew following violent attacks on Sudanese nationals and their properties. The police chief announced the curfew from 6 PM to 6 AM to prevent any further disturbances after confrontations resulted in three fatalities and seven injuries in Juba and Aweil. Reports indicate that three homes belonging to Sudanese individuals were set ablaze in Aweil.
To enhance security, police rescued 45 Sudanese traders in Juba, providing them with protection at a police station. This unrest follows the influx of Sudanese refugees into South Sudan as they flee ongoing conflict in Sudan, which has escalated into a severe humanitarian crisis affecting approximately 25 million people, according to the UN.
Recent footage purportedly capturing Sudanese soldiers executing South Sudanese civilians has incited anger among the South Sudanese populace, leading to retaliatory attacks on Sudanese businesses. Hundreds of young men have engaged in violent confrontations, prompting police enforcement measures throughout Juba’s busy streets.
The market in Juba remains largely closed as business owners seek to safeguard their interests amid the unrest. Prices for goods, such as bread, have surged drastically due to operational disruptions caused by the turmoil. Police presence has intensified to deter further violence directed at Sudanese communities as reports of attacks in other cities arise, although these claims remain unverified.
The tension between the two nations reflects long-standing ethnic grievances stemming from Sudan’s historical treatment of its darker-skinned populations. As violence escalates, South Sudanese communities rally in response to perceived injustices against their kin, highlighting the cycle of violence perpetuated by ethnic and racial divides.
The curfew aiming to restore order comes amidst a backdrop of ongoing humanitarian crises in the region, seeking to protect vulnerable populations as the situation develops. The ongoing unrest underscores not only the fragility of peace in South Sudan but also the dire circumstances across borders, requiring international attention and intervention.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has resulted in a significant influx of refugees into neighboring South Sudan since 2023, contributing to heightened tensions and ethnic grievances. Historical conflicts involving Sudanese and South Sudanese communities have reignited with recent violence and retaliatory attacks against Sudanese nationals residing in South Sudan, which gained independence in 2011 after a long civil war. These underlying racial tensions have been further exacerbated by Sudan’s current humanitarian crisis, prompting South Sudanese communities to react violently to perceived threats against their people.
The situation in South Sudan presents a complex intersection of ethnic conflict, historical grievances, and humanitarian crises. The imposed curfew seeks to quell violence against Sudanese nationals as tensions continue to rise due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan. The international community’s awareness and active intervention may be necessary to foster peace and address the humanitarian needs of displaced populations.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
