Africa-Press – South-Sudan. Authorities in South Sudan’s Central Equatoria State have raised alarm over a sharp increase in suicide cases, with 12 reported deaths in just one week in Juba County, according to the State Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement Agency.
The suicide trend was revealed by Leon Abe Brown, who described the situation as deeply worrying during a weekly State Security Committee meeting held Tuesday and chaired by State Governor, Rabi Mujung Emmanuel.
“Over the past one week alone, suicide cases have risen to 12, alongside numerous incidents of looting and armed robbery,” said Abe as quoted by the Central Equatoria State Gubernatorial Press Unit.
The meeting, which assessed the general security situation in the state, highlighted a troubling rise in suicides alongside a surge in criminal activity in Juba County.
While the government did not detail causes behind the suicides, the spike has prompted calls for heightened vigilance from both security organs and community leaders.
Like other parts of South Sudan, mental health remains a rarely addressed issue in Juba County and Central Equatoria in general, where trauma from conflict, economic hardship, and weak health systems have contributed to growing cases of depression and suicide—often without adequate support services.
Mr. Abe also reported increased incidents of burglary and theft, particularly in the county, prompting the Security Committee to direct police and other security agencies to intensify surveillance and crack down on criminal activity in the capital.
Meanwhile, land disputes continue to stir tension in parts of the city. The minister addressed a recent clash during a land allocation exercise in Korok West, where valid documentation was reportedly challenged by unidentified individuals.
“Those involved in the land allocation exercise possessed valid documents. However, during the implementation… certain individuals attempted to sabotage the operation. As the Security Committee, we urge respect for the government and its institutions,” Abe stated.
Despite these localised challenges, Abe described the broader security situation in the state as calm, emphasising the government’s ongoing commitment to restoring peace and stability.
The government is now urging citizens to cooperate with security forces and follow legal procedures in matters such as land acquisition, while reinforcing calls for community-based efforts to address growing mental health concerns.
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