JOHANNESBURG
Police in South Sudan said Monday that 16 Sudanese nationals were killed during last week’s protests in the country over alleged killings of South Sudanese people in Sudan’s Al-Jazira state.
Spokesperson Col. John Kassara Koang Nhial confirmed the fatalities.
Last week’s unrest in South Sudan sparked off after gruesome videos on social media showed South Sudanese nationals that were killed in Wad Madani, the capital of Al-Jazira.
Many South Sudanese nationals are said to be stranded in the war-torn neighboring Sudan, and the videos ignited their urge to retaliate by attacking Sudanese nationals residing in their country.
Sudanese-owned businesses in neighborhoods across Juba were vandalized and looted amid rising tensions. The government announced a nationwide curfew last week, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. local time to curb looting and violence.
Police said they have so far rescued 2,990 Sudanese nationals, who are currently seeking shelter and protection at different police stations across the capital Juba.
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has urged calm and an end to alleged atrocities against South Sudanese civilians. He called on the people to remain calm and refrain from retaliation.
