Mr. Diing Aher Ngong announced that events such as weddings, night parties, church crusades, conferences, workshops, and political rallies must secure police endorsement before proceeding. This measure, effective immediately, aims to enhance public safety and maintain order across the county.
The directive addresses growing concerns about unauthorised gatherings, particularly those involving young people, which have led to incidents of violence and disorder in the past.
“This order is designed to protect the safety and security of all residents in Aweil East County,” Diing said. “We have observed that events organised without proper coordination with law enforcement often result in chaos, endangering lives and property,” he added.
To ensure compliance, organisers planning events likely to attract large crowds, especially youth, must consult the county’s police director.
This consultation will allow authorities to arrange adequate security measures or deploy personnel to monitor the event and prevent potential disruptions.
Diing emphasised the importance of this collaboration, citing a tragic incident from two years ago during a marriage celebration, in which an officer attempting to disperse a disorderly, intoxicated crowd fired warning shots, accidentally killing a young girl.
“Such incidents are preventable with proper planning and oversight,” Diing noted, underscoring the need for the new regulation.
The Commissioner’s administration has directed all security units in Aweil East to work closely with the police to enforce this order. Local law enforcement agencies have been instructed to streamline the approval process, ensuring that organisers face minimal delays while adhering to the safety protocols.
In a separate but equally significant directive, Commissioner Diing addressed an environmental issue affecting the county’s livestock and ecosystem. He banned the use of polythene bags, which he said pose a severe threat to domestic animals such as cows and goats.
“When animals ingest these bags, it often leads to their death, causing significant losses for farmers and herders,” Diing explained. To address this, he has instructed traders to adopt alternative containers for packaging goods sold to customers.
Aweil East County, located in the northern region of South Sudan, has faced challenges related to insecurity and environmental degradation in recent years.
However, Mr Diing said these new directives signal a proactive approach by local authorities to address these issues, balancing public safety with sustainable development.
