200 Detainees Remain Unaccounted For Following Mass Jailbreak in South Sudan
Almost 200 detainees are on the loose after a jailbreak during protests in South Sudan. Demonstrations turned violent over reports of deaths in Sudan, leading to looting and police arrests. The unrest has resulted in a nighttime curfew and continued efforts to recapture escapees as South Sudan grapples with ongoing instability.
In South Sudan, nearly 200 individuals connected to recent protests and subsequent looting remain unaccounted for following a significant jailbreak at a military detention facility. The demonstrations, sparked by reports of violence in neighboring Sudan resulting in the death of 29 South Sudanese, devolved into chaos, leading to the looting of Sudanese-owned properties in the capital, Juba. Law enforcement responded by arresting numerous participants, although the total number detained remains uncertain, according to police spokesperson John Kassara.
On Wednesday, Kassara reported that out of approximately 600 detainees who fled the facility in Juba, 550 were civilians while 50 were personnel from organized forces, including armed forces and police. As military police fired gunshots into the air in an attempt to recapture the escapees, 410 individuals were successfully apprehended, leaving about 190 still at large. Meanwhile, violence during the protests resulted in the deaths of at least 16 Sudanese nationals, with many more injured.
In response to the unrest, the government has instituted a nighttime curfew and called for calm, with President Salva Kiir urging restraint from citizens. Although tensions have eased somewhat by the weekend, the curfew remains enforced. South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, continues to face ongoing challenges including widespread poverty, political instability, and environmental crises.
The civil unrest has seen a significant number of South Sudanese returning from Sudan, where a civil war erupted in 2023, further complicating the humanitarian situation. According to United Nations reports, many of those fleeing the violence in Sudan have been South Sudanese nationals, while thousands of Sudanese have also sought safety across the border. The region’s plight illustrates the ongoing ramifications of political turmoil affecting both South Sudan and Sudan.
The recent mass jailbreak in South Sudan is a consequence of escalating civil unrest stemming from external conflicts in Sudan, which have directly impacted South Sudanese citizens. The protests, initially anchored in the backlash against violence affecting South Sudanese nationals, transformed into more widespread riots involving looting. Historically, South Sudan has experienced severe conflicts and economic struggles since its separation from Sudan, exacerbated by continuous political instability and humanitarian crises.
In conclusion, the aftermath of the protests in South Sudan has led to a significant security crisis, highlighted by the mass jailbreak of detainees stemming from civil unrest. While efforts to reestablish order have seen some success in recapturing escapees, the ongoing turmoil poses profound questions about governance and social stability in the region. The situation remains fluid, with ripple effects ongoing due to the conflicts in the neighboring Sudan.
Original Source: jordantimes.com
