Wau: Scores detained in Wau as festive season crackdown continues

WAU – Over 80 young men have been detained in Wau since Saturday, January 6^th, sparking concern and raising questions about due process and targeted profiling.

The arrests were reportedly ordered by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Atem Marol Biar during his visit to the state capital.

Local sources, including a police officer speaking anonymously, confirmed the detentions and described the young men as being accused of being “gangsters.”

However, details about the alleged crimes or evidence remain unclear.

Authorities have maintained silence, citing ongoing investigations and legal restrictions on media communication.

A national police statement this afternoon acknowledged the arrests but offered limited information, solely mentioning the apprehension of “suspected gangsters” and their pending investigation at Wau police headquarters.

The statement promised the release of those found innocent but provided no timeline or further details.

These latest arrests follow a similar pattern of mass detentions during the festive season across South Sudan, including Juba, Bor, Rumbek, and Northern Bahr el Ghazal.

Notably, police have openly targeted young men with dreadlocks, raising concerns about discriminatory profiling and potential human rights violations.

The lack of transparency and due process surrounding these detentions has fueled public unease and calls for accountability.

Civil society organizations and human rights groups are urging authorities to clarify the grounds for the arrests, ensure fair investigations, and uphold the legal rights of the detainees.