In brief
As violence escalates following attacks on Sudanese-owned businesses, South Sudan's police have imposed a curfew in Juba and neighboring towns to mitigate tensions. Officials report that three people lost their lives and seven were injured during clashes with law enforcement. The unrest stems from retaliatory actions taken by locals against Sudanese communities, as accusations of ethnic violence permeate the atmosphere. Sudanese nationals continue to flee the humanitarian crisis in their home country, intensifying the complexities of the situation in South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011.
Following a series of violent incidents targeting Sudanese-owned businesses in South Sudan, police in the region have declared a curfew from 18:00 to 06:00 local time to prevent further chaos. The police chief, Insp Gen Abraham Manyuat Peter, announced this measure on Friday after three fatalities and seven injuries were reported amid confrontations in Juba and Aweil. Individuals' nationalities remain undisclosed. The volatile situation unfolded after local youths reacted to online videos showing Sudanese soldiers allegedly killing South Sudanese civilians. Eyewitnesses noted a wave of violence as enraged locals attacked Sudanese-owned establishments, leading to widespread closures of shops and markets across Juba.The influence of past racial tensions, dating back to Sudan's long history of ethnically charged violence, has resurfaced, with reports indicating that darker-skinned individuals have been targeted by lighter-skinned groups. During the recent unrest, police managed to rescue 45 Sudanese traders seeking refuge in a police station and increased security measures to protect their communities within the capital. Bread prices surged by 17% amid the turmoil, and sporadic demonstrations erupted in places like Warrap state. The United Nations continues to highlight the severity of the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, where millions require urgent assistance, exacerbating the existing friction in neighboring South Sudan.
