Fear and Hope in Juba: 623 Arrested in Battle Against Gang Violence

‎

‎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 .

‎

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

‎

‎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. 

‎

‎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.

‎

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

‎

‎

‎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. 

‎

‎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.

‎

‎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.

‎

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

‎

‎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. 

‎

‎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.