Recent anti-Sudanese protests in South Sudan have led to 12 deaths due to violence directed at Sudanese nationals, including a police response that resulted in casualties. A curfew has been imposed in efforts to stabilize the situation amid calls for restraint from President Salva Kiir. The backdrop of these protests is the ongoing conflict in Sudan, which has created a humanitarian crisis impacting South Sudan as well.
In South Sudan, escalating protests have resulted in the deaths of 12 individuals in two days, targeting citizens originating from Sudan. Security forces reported assaults in the capital, Juba, incited by news of 29 South Sudanese casualties in the ongoing conflict in Sudan’s Al-Jazeera state. As a result, citizens looted properties owned by Sudanese nationals amid the unrest, prompting police to respond, leading to further casualties including three fatalities and seven injuries.
The violence was not confined to Juba; similar protests in Aweil resulted in the deaths of nine individuals on Friday, including two South Sudanese and seven Sudanese. In response to the turmoil, South Sudan enforced an overnight curfew, while police claimed the security situation was stable after 24 hours of unrest. Despite the curfew, the streets of Juba remained calm with a visible police presence, though Sudanese-owned businesses continue to be closed.
President Salva Kiir urged for calm and restraint among the population. To protect Sudanese nationals, the South Sudanese army provided refuge for over 600 individuals at military headquarters. Additionally, 278 people, including children, have been secured by local police in Central Equatoria as tensions persist. The relationship between South Sudan and Sudan has historically been turbulent, especially following South Sudan’s independence in 2011, resulting in significant instability and conflict.
The ongoing violence in Sudan, emerging from a civil war ignited in April 2023, has had devastating consequences, leading to tens of thousands of deaths and displacing approximately 12 million people. Furthermore, famine conditions have exacerbated the crisis, causing additional loss of life.
The protests in South Sudan are contextualized by the civil unrest ongoing in neighboring Sudan, where a conflict between the official army and the Rapid Support Forces has resulted in significant casualties and a humanitarian crisis. Since its independence from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan has struggled with instability, which has been compounded by the recent violence in Sudan that has driven many Sudanese to seek refuge in South Sudan. The current situation highlights the fragile security environment and the interwoven fates of both countries, exacerbated by historical tensions and overlapping crises.
The recent anti-Sudanese protests in South Sudan illustrate escalating tensions stemming from the ongoing violence in Sudan, which has significantly affected the lives of many. The deaths and injuries reported reveal the seriousness of the situation, with South Sudan struggling to maintain order amidst demonstrations driven by complex historical relations and current humanitarian crises.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
