Juba mayor threatens violent response against planned protests

JUBA – The mayor of Juba city Kalisto Lado has threatened a violent response against protests planned for August 30 in which a protest organizer, the People’s Coalition for Civil Action (PCCA), is expected to ask President Salva Kiir Mayardit and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny to leave.

Kalisto said the protests that are slated for August 30 are not legal and the government will not tolerate any thing he said is illegal, a day after senior Presidential Advisor Kuol Manyang Juuk reiterated threats that the government will use live bullets against protesters.

“We urged all the people of South Sudan in Juba City that it is illegal to join the demonstration of the People’s Coalition for Civil Action; no one should allow his child to be deceived on the 30th (August),” Kalisto said.

“Where do they talk from, why they are not seen, let them come forward so that we meet with them,” he added.

The senior city government official said security forces have already been prepared and that he will personally patrol the streets of Juba saying the government will not tolerate ‘nonsense’ from the protest organizer seeking end to President Salva Kiir’s 16-year rule.

“On August 30, I the Mayor, with my deputies and all chairpersons of blocks, will work with you. We shall be patrolling, there will be no appointments with the Mayor because I will not be in the office,” he said.

“South Sudan will stop any kind of nonsense, any kind of network, and anything that causes destruction and we shall stop it,” he further added.