Police investigate emerging protest group

JUBA – The South Sudan National Police Service says it is investigating another uprising group to find out the people behind the movement.

Col. James Dak Karlo, the Deputy Police Spokesperson said the government was aware of the new protest group known as Gumna Shabab.

“Yes we are aware of the group and we have deployed our intelligence officers to investigate who is behind the new group,” James told The City Review Wednesday.

The new group announced its support to the People’s Coalition for Civil Actions on August 29, 2021, saying, “We fully associate ourselves and declare our full membership to the People’s Coalition for Civil Action.”

“We are a non-violent youth movement that will peacefully advocate for change in South Sudan and our membership is drawn from all the ten states of South Sudan,” the statement released by the group stated in part.

The government beefed up security and repeatedly sent a warning shot to would-be violators of the directives against any form of protest.

Last week, police spokesperson Maj. Gen. Daniel Justine outlined the reasons why the request tabled by the People’s Coalition for Civil Action to hold a peaceful protest was rebuffed.

The police boss said the country was not in a position to condone such a gathering and that the organizers were faceless and were harboring ulterior motives.

“We advise them [demonstrators] not to do so. If at all they want to exercise their rights to freedom of expression, they have to coordinate with us as organized forces so that we secure their demonstration,” he added.

Justin said the coalition was not registered as an entity and that they would treat it as illegal.

“We need to sit down and put things right. You cannot call for an unknown number of people to demonstrate because for us we have to know the exact number of demonstrators,” he added.

Over the weekend, Inspector-General of Police Gen. Majak Akec Malok assured the public of safety and said the country should proceed with normal activities.

“The police chief urged the public to avoid any unlawful gathering saying [the] police and other security forces have been deployed across the capital city and in the ten States to deter any unlawful demonstration,” he said in a press statement.

The law enforcement agents also called on the public to cooperate and report any security and peace-threatening action around the city.

“Gen. Majak asked the public to cooperate with police and report any suspected criminal activities to the police. The police chief also informed the general public that curfew operations have been scaled up adding those found violating the orders will be dealt with accordingly,” the statement added.