(Juba) – Authorities in Central Equatoria State have arrested 623 suspected gang members in a major security operation following a serious incident involving the gang rape of a 16 year old girl in the Shirikat area of Juba last week.
The announcement came after a weekly security meeting chaired by the Central Equatoria State Governor, Lt. Gen. Rabi Mujung Emmanuel. The operation is part of a wider crackdown on youth gangs operating in the capital, particularly groups locally known as “niggas,” which have been blamed for a surge in violent and criminal activity in recent months.
State Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement, Hon. Leon Abe Brown, told journalists on Tuesday that the arrests were made in coordinated operations across all sectors of Juba. “So far, security forces in all sectors of Juba have arrested 623 gang members. We applaud our security organs for their efforts,” he said.
The Minister strongly condemned the rape incident and described it as both disturbing and unacceptable. He stressed that law enforcement agencies will continue pursuing all those involved in gang-related crime until peace and safety are restored in the city.
In a broader appeal, Hon. Abe called on parents and guardians to take greater responsibility in monitoring their children’s activities and to prevent them from becoming involved in gangs. He added that the state government believes prevention is a shared responsibility, requiring active family and community engagement.
The Security Committee also called on development partners and international organisations to work with the state government to establish reformatory schools and vocational training centres. These facilities would provide education, job skills and structured rehabilitation programs aimed at reintegrating former gang members into society.
Authorities said that without such long-term solutions, criminal gangs would continue to attract vulnerable and unemployed youth, especially in urban areas like Juba where economic hardship is widespread. With South Sudan’s formal employment opportunities limited and education systems under strain, many young people are left idle and vulnerable to gang recruitment.
According to the parallel market rate of SSP 7,000 per US dollar as of July 2025, the cost of even basic services remains high for ordinary South Sudanese. A typical household in Juba may need upwards of SSP 70,000 per month (approximately $10) just for water alone, due to unregulated pricing by private vendors.
This concern was also raised in the Security Committee’s session. Officials highlighted the urgent need for the South Sudan Urban Water Corporation to take action on the rising cost of water in the city. They noted that affordable access to clean water is a basic need and must be protected from market exploitation, especially for low-income residents.
The Juba gang crackdown comes at a time of growing concern about public safety in South Sudan’s capital. Officials say sustained security efforts, combined with social intervention, are key to reversing the rise in criminal activity and ensuring that young people are offered productive alternatives.
The arrests mark one of the largest single anti gang operations in the state’s recent history. However, observers caution that long term stability will require more than arrests. Investment in youth services, education, and mental health support are critical to preventing reoffending and reducing the allure of gang life.
