The Central Equatoria State Security Committee on Wednesday recommended the establishment of reformatory schools to rehabilitate youth involved in gang culture, which has been on the rise in and around Juba and other towns.
According to a press statement issued by Waakhe Wudu, the governor’s press secretary, the extraordinary meeting chaired by Governor Rabi Mujung Emmanuel also discussed alarming rise in suicide cases in Juba, increase in armed robberies, and the regulation of pharmaceuticals in local clinics to ensure adherence to standard health protocols and curb drug abuse among young people.
For his part, Leon Abe Brown, the State Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement Agencies, said that the Security Committee emphasized the importance of mental health support and community outreach programs as measures to reduce the growing number of suicides. He also stated that relevant security agencies had been directed to intensify surveillance to tackle the ongoing problem of armed robberies.
“We currently lack reformatory schools. When gang members are arrested, they are often released without undergoing any reform,” he stated. “Establishing reformatory schools will offer vocational training and help reintegrate these individuals into society as responsible and productive citizens.”
Minister Abe added that the Committee resolved that the state health ministry continue its oversight of private clinics to ensure proper regulations are followed to uphold public safety in the delivery of standard health services.
He also revealed that they have observed that certain individuals claiming to be security organs deploy themselves for personal gain.
“This malpractice leads to inflated commodity prices due to illegal taxation, and such behavior is unlawful,” Abe emphasized, urging that only officially mandated operations by security agencies be allowed in the markets.
The Minister reaffirmed the state government’s unwavering commitment to addressing security challenges across the state, particularly in light of last Friday’s attack on Morobo County Hospital.
He concluded by stressing the meeting’s goal to formulate actionable strategies aimed at enhancing peace and security across Central Equatoria State.