South Sudan lifts curfew following anti-Sudanese protests

JUBA – The South Sudan government has lifted a dusk-to-dawn curfew that was imposed two weeks ago. The measure was implemented following violent anti-Sudanese protests and looting that erupted across the country.

These events were triggered by reports of the brutal killing of South Sudanese nationals in Sudan.

The curfew was declared on January 17^th by the Inspector General of South Sudan’s police in response to widespread unrest. This unrest followed reports of the killing of South Sudanese nationals in Sudan’s Al Jazira State.

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) had recently retaken control of Wad Madani, the state capital, from the rebellious Rapid Support Forces (RSF). However, the army’s takeover was marred by reports of human rights abuses, including the targeting of South Sudanese.

Days later, gruesome videos of civilian massacres surfaced on social media. Some of these videos allegedly showed the targeting of South Sudanese farm workers east and west of Wad Madani. These horrific images sparked widespread outrage in South Sudan.

Anti-Sudanese protests erupted in Juba and other parts of the country, resulting in the killing of at least 16 Sudanese nationals and the wounding of several others. The protests also led to the looting of Sudanese businesses, threatening to escalate into a diplomatic spat between the two countries.

In a recorded statement to Sudans Post, South Sudan police spokesman Colonel John Kassara Koang Nhial announced the lifting of the curfew.

“This is to inform the public that the curfew declared on 17^th January 2025 by the Inspector General of Police is lifted,” Colonel Koang stated.

Colonel Kassara explained that the curfew was lifted due to an improvement in the security situation and the calming of the protests.

“The majority of Sudanese nationals who were sheltered in police premises have voluntarily returned home,” Nhial said.

“Only a small number remain, and those individuals are planning to return to Sudan, specifically to Port Sudan. The Sudanese Embassy is facilitating their departure,” he added.