Torit, South Sudan,
June 01, 2021 – The government of Eastern Equatoria State has declared a night curfew after Monyomiji, a forum of disgruntled youths from Torit, Ikotos, and Lopit counties threatened UN agencies and NGOs with consequences if they do not vacate Torit within a 72-hour ultimatum.
On Thursday, Eastern Equatoria State Minister of Information and official government spokesman Patrick Oting Cyprian said in a press statement that no group has the authority to order anyone to leave adding that the government was ready to protect UN agencies and NGOs.
“The issue of the Monyomiji has been handled by the government from time to time. Even Vice President Mama Rebecca Nyadeng de Mabior, during her meeting with stakeholders in Torit on the matter, requested the Monyeimiji to come to Juba for further deliberations on their complaints. We call on the UN agencies and NGOs to remain calm. The government will protect the NGOs,” Oting said in a statement.
Oting said a curfew has been imposed from 7 pm to 6 am adding that no one is allowed to roam the streets between that time.
“The government has declared a dusk to dawn curfew only for the town of Torit starting from 7 pm to 6 am. Nobody is allowed to move in Torit town at that time,” Oting said.
“Gatherings, parties, and traditional dances of all sorts have been banned in Torit town indefinitely. Anybody intending to do so should get approval from the police service. Failure to get approval will lead to stringent punitive measures,” Minister Oting warned.
But Monyomiji remained defiant. The group says their concerns remained unattended to and that the government delegation led by Vice President Rebecca Nyandeng to Torit was on a deception mission.
“We have come to the last solution. Madam (VP) Nyandeng cannot give us Jobs. She was able to deceive us. She brought for us figures that we have 44 percent of jobs but if you go on the ground, this issue is not true,” Johnson Sereno Omojo, a member of Monyiemiji Forum said.
“And we said there is no need for these organizations to work here. Let them evacuate so that we stay as in the past without organizations,” Omojo warned.
