Kiir orders forces to beef up security along major trade routes

JUBA – South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit has ordered the country’s security forces to deploy along major trade routes in the wake of March’s attack in which eight foreign drivers from Uganda and Kenyan were killed by suspected NAS assailants.

Speaking following a meeting with President Salva Kiir at the State House in Juba on Wednesday, Central Equatoria state governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony said the president has reassured him of his readiness to deploy security forces along major routes to mitigate road ambushes on travelers.

“President Salva Kiir has agreed to beef up security along the highways to curtail any security related threats to the road users along highways to allow access to humanitarian organizations across the state,” Adil said.

Adil briefed President Kiir on his recent engagement with his Ugandan counterpart on border security, and trade along the common border.

“I briefed His Excellent President Salva Kiir on my recent engagement with my Ugandan counterpart on border security, trade along our common borders and peaceful resettlement of refugees from Uganda, border demarcations and re-opening of the roads that are linking Uganda and South Sudan,” Anthony disclosed.

Anthony also briefed the President on the activities of the rebel group, National Salvation Front led by General Thomas Cirilo.

“I am urging the National Salvation Front forces to desist from violence and join the peace process as one way of salvaging the suffering of the innocent citizens across the state,” he said.