SPLA-IO Accused of Detaining Civilian Boats, Demanding $4,000 Along Sobat River ‎

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‎ Boat ferrying civilians  Nasir, Upper Nile State  ‎Authorities in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, have accused forces loyal to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army In Opposition (SPLA-IO) of detaining civilian riverboats and demanding ransom-like payments of up to $4,000 from traders and passengers along the Sobat River. ‎ ‎According to Nasir County Commissioner James Gatwech Joak, several boats traveling from Matar in Nasir County to Malakal were intercepted by SPLA-IO soldiers in Yakuach, an area in Nyirol County, Jonglei State. ‎ ‎“Our traders paid local taxes to SPLA-IO in Mandeng before setting off. But on reaching Yakuach, they were detained again and told to pay an additional four thousand U.S. dollars,” Commissioner Gatwech said. ‎ ‎He explained that the detained boat operators and traders were reportedly held for four days while armed men demanded more payments.  ‎ Some of the passengers were women, children, and patients traveling for medical treatment in Malaka...
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Fear and Hope in Juba: 623 Arrested in Battle Against Gang Violence

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‎Central Equatoria State (CES) security forces have arrested 623 individuals suspected of affiliation with notorious street gangs in Juba as part of a sweeping anti-crime operation across the capital .

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‎The suspects are allegedly linked to high-profile gangs such as 4SG Slime, West Coast, ODA, Killers Gang, Black Devils, among others.

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‎While detailed profiles of the detainees remain pending, officials emphasize the operation is in direct response to a recent surge in heinous criminal activity including a particularly disturbing gang rape in the Shirikat area of Juba, which sparked national outrage and hastened the crackdown. 

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‎In the wake of the arrests, CES Governor Rabi Emmanuel Mujung has renewed calls for reformatory schools aimed at providing vocational training and rehabilitation for youth implicated in gang activities.

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‎This includes proposals for a holistic strategy pairing enforcement with social and mental health support a key element raised during recent security briefings. 

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‎What’s next?

‎The detained suspects are awaiting formal legal processing; some may be released if unconnected to gang crime, while others could face prosecution under South Sudan’s Penal Code. 

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‎Calls are mounting from local leaders, civil society groups, and women’s organizations for stronger preventive mechanisms such as community policing and youth rehabilitation programs.

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‎Analysis & Context

‎This crackdown is one in a series of recent actions against gang activity in the region: in May, over 100 suspected gang members were arrested in Nimule; in January 2024, 25 individuals were detained in Lologo on weapons charges.

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‎Yet despite such interventions, analyses suggest that without systemic reform, gang networks tend to persist even rebranding under different names after arrests. 

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‎Governor Mujung’s push for reformatory schools aligns with broader expert calls to tackle youth unemployment and reintegrate offenders into society instead of relying solely on detention. 

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‎On the Ground

‎Security first: With over 600 arrests, patrols and surveillance in Juba are noticeably tighter. 


‎Policy pivot: The proposal for reformatory schools marks a shift from simple punitive measures to preventive, rehabilitative strategies.


‎Watch this space: The coming weeks will show whether detainees face charges, are released, or redirected into new reform programs.

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SPLA-IO Accused of Detaining Civilian Boats, Demanding $4,000 Along Sobat River ‎

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‎ Boat ferrying civilians  Nasir, Upper Nile State  ‎Authorities in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, have accused forces loyal to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army In Opposition (SPLA-IO) of detaining civilian riverboats and demanding ransom-like payments of up to $4,000 from traders and passengers along the Sobat River. ‎ ‎According to Nasir County Commissioner James Gatwech Joak, several boats traveling from Matar in Nasir County to Malakal were intercepted by SPLA-IO soldiers in Yakuach, an area in Nyirol County, Jonglei State. ‎ ‎“Our traders paid local taxes to SPLA-IO in Mandeng before setting off. But on reaching Yakuach, they were detained again and told to pay an additional four thousand U.S. dollars,” Commissioner Gatwech said. ‎ ‎He explained that the detained boat operators and traders were reportedly held for four days while armed men demanded more payments.  ‎ Some of the passengers were women, children, and patients traveling for medical treatment in Malaka...
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