South Sudan police says security improved, but registers six deaths since anti-Sudanese riots

JUBA – South Sudan police service said it has recorded a countrywide reduction in crimes for the first time since anti-Sudanese riots broke last week, although it recorded six deaths in the last three days.

In a briefing on Friday, Col. John Kassara the police mouthpiece, said only isolated incidents of crimes were registered over the last several days.

“The general security situation has been relatively calm and stable countywide for the last 3 days. The States and Administrative areas recorded offences mostly related to criminal cases and isolated incidents of social violence,” he said in a report summarizing the security incidents between January 21^st and January 23^rd.

“However, the rate of crimes has dropped today compared to the previous days’ statistics,” he added.

He stated that one of the deaths involved a police officer from the Directorate of Diplomatic Police Unit who committed suicide by shooting himself inside Amaal Express Forex at Konyo-Konyo Market.

He said that the motive behind the suicide has not yet been established by the police, and the deceased’s body has been taken to Juba Funeral Home. A criminal case has been initiated at Central Police Division, and the investigation is ongoing, he added.

“A 30-year-old male civilian was shot dead by unidentified armed criminals between Poktap and Pajun village in Duk Padiet County on 21st January 2025 at around 3:00 pm. A criminal case has been initiated at Duk Padiet Police Station, and the investigation is ongoing,” he said of another incident in Jonglei State’s Duk County.

Col. Kassara said four more deaths, including one female, were recorded in parts of Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria and Warrap State. One of them was a sergeant from the SSPDF engineering corps, he further noted.