South Sudan deploys ‘enough forces’ to suppress ‘criminal’ protestors – police chief  

JUBA – South Sudan government has said that it has deployed enough forces and is ready to arrest with any ‘criminal’ who will take to the street tomorrow to protest against the government of President Salva Kiir Mayardit, Inspector General of Police Gen. Majak Akec said in a press conference this afternoon.

A civil rights movement calling itself People’s Coalition for Civil Action (PCCA) is mobilizing South Sudanese to take to the streets tomorrow Monday in which the group will ask President Salva Kiir Mayardit and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition to relinquish power.

General Majak said the government has deployed enough troops to deal with the protests saying anyone who will take to the street tomorrow will be considered a criminal and traders who will close their shops as results of the civil disobedience will be considered a part of the plan to oust the government of President Salva Kiir and will be deal with.

“We have deployed enough forces, and whoever will come out tomorrow to demonstrate will be considered a criminal and we will talk to them in a language they will understand in the field,” the police chief told reporters in Juba.

“Any trader who will close his shop tomorrow will be investigated because he or she might be fully aware or a partner to those calling for a demonstration against the government,” Akec added.

The top police commander further warned troublemakers to desist from committing crimes or risk been dealt with in accordance with the law.

“Whoever that will kill, rob, or may attempt to rape women or girls during the strike is against the law and we will not be allowed you to get away with such crimes you might have committed,” he said.

He advised residents to go about their lawful duties without fear.

“We are hereby informing our citizens across the country not to close their shops tomorrow and everyone should go about their daily activities as usual,” he reaffirmed.

“Illegal meetings whether political and another social gathering in any hotel and residential areas tomorrow are not permitted unless with an official document approved by the security organs,” he added.

He said mobilizing citizens to go for strike or uprising is a crime by itself.

“Those who are exactly manufacturing this misleading information have not made it official and it’s not permitted by the government,” he stated.