Sudanese Traders Urged to Reopen Shops As calm Restored Across Country

The Governor of Central Equatoria State, Augustino Jadalla Kamilo, has assured Sudanese nationals who sought protection in various security stations to return to their homes and reopen businesses following the return of calm in Juba and various towns across the country.

By Jenifer James

The Governor of Central Equatoria State, Augustino Jadalla Kamilo, has assured Sudanese nationals who sought protection in various security stations to return to their homes and reopen businesses following the return of calm in Juba and various towns across the country.

Jadalla’s reassurances come in the wake of two consecutive nights of deadly night since Thursday, where angry South Sudanese youth attacked and vandalized businesses owned by Sudanese nationals.

The Governor visited several markets on Saturday and interacted with traders and security forces, and encouraged Sudanese traders to reopen their shops.

 Jadalla assured them that the situation is calm and under control after the deployment of organized forces in the markets.

Speaking to the media on Saturday, the Central Equatoria State Minister of Trade and Industry, Wani Tom Sebit, said that people should not use the situation to loot shops.

“The directives issued by the President are that all traders and markets should be protected, and the directives of the Governor also on protection of people are implemented; that is why you see there is deployment of forces,” said Sebit.

Meanwhile, the Director of Juba County Police, Maj. Gen Dut Makoi, assured the traders of the commitment of the police in providing protection to the traders and their properties.

“We are urging you that if your shop is closed, you need to open the shop because the security is now stable. In Konyo-Konyo there is no shop that has been looted,” said Makoi.

However, the Deputy Chairperson of the Chamber of Commerce at Kator Block, Juma Taban Abramah, appealed to traders to resume their normal businesses.

“The situation was not good, but we thank the organized forces for protecting the shops in Konyo-Konyo market. The forces are here to protect the people and their properties,” said Taban.

For his part, the Chairperson of the Sudanese community, Adil Jaffar, called on his compatriots and other foreign nationals to resume their normal business, noting that the situation is under control.

“I want to call on our Sudanese brothers, Somalis, Eritreans, Ethiopians, and all foreign traders tomorrow (Sunday) you have to open your shops and work. The government has committed to protect us, and we have seen that today through the deployment of organized forces,” said Jaffar.

The riots which left 12 people killed were sparked by the killings of South Sudanese nationals on January 11, 2025, by Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) soldiers after they recaptured Wad Madani, the capital of Al Jazirah State from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The soldiers were captured on camera executing unarmed civilians sparking anger among South Sudanese, after the various video clips depicting the killings spread on social media.

The angry rioters vandalized and looted some Sudanese owned shops in the suburbs of Jaberona, Sherikat, new site and Gudele, Gumbo and Mia-Saba.

Incidents of looting and arson were also reported in Aweil town, where 3 buildings belonging to Sudanese nationals were torched.

 In Wau town, Western Bhar El Ghazal State, police recorded incidents of violent attacks on Sudanese.

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