South Sudan deploys police forces ahead of Christmas, New Year celebrations

JUBA – South Sudan government has announced that it is beefing up security in the country’s capital Juba as well as in important towns as the country approaches festive season.

Police spokesman Major General Daniel Justin said that security forces are on high alert because of crimes he said are intended to be carried out during the festive celebrations.

“This is a big event which happens every year and we ensure heightened security because people are shopping for their families and criminals also want to take advantage of the situation so that they steal from citizens,” Gen. Justin said, according to Radio Tamazuj.

“So, as our mandate stipulates we are on standby and all units of the police countrywide will protect and ensure all citizens are safe. We shall also deploy police units to all places of worship to ensure that all prayers are held and end peacefully in the capital city, towns, and across all the states,” he added.

While saying the security situation across the world’s youngest country was better, the police spokesman said the authorities are worried about the security of the citizens who usually leave for villages around this time.

“Yes, It is known that we have forces along the roads connecting the states and towns and they are on standby because criminals also target travelers on the highways. So, all our roads are secure, like the Juba-Nimule road, Juba-Terekeka-Rumbek up to Wau, Juba-Bor, Juba till Yambio, Juba-Kajo-Keji and others. We have forces on all these roads to protect travelers,” he said.

“When we deploy forces, we brief them on what they are going to do. Also, all citizens who are robbed and or harassed have to report because all the forces have units which are headed by a commander,” he added.

“So, the citizens should report any wrongdoing by our forces. Also at times a soldier might be drunk and cause chaos, these ones will immediately be arrested and charged in our police disciplinary courts.  So all forces have to be careful and obey the law and police rules.

“There are also security personnel who get excited and discharge their weapons during the festive season, these ones we will arrest. Firing weapons scares the public so it is not allowed.

“We also advise the public to embrace and practice the Covid-19 preventive measure.”