The State Security Committee has urged parents to take responsibility for their children following 11 suicide cases involving minors aged 18 and below, reported this week in Juba.
The matter was addressed during the 9th ordinary State Security Committee meeting, chaired by the Governor of Central Equatoria State, Rabi Mujung Emmanuel. The delegation discussed several issues affecting the state.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, the Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement, Abe Leon Brown, expressed concern over the rising number of suicides among young people in the state.
“The number of suicide cases this week has risen to 11, and the main cause is drug abuse among children under the age of 18. We are urging ourselves as parents, guardians, and citizens of Central Equatoria and South Sudan at large to be responsible. Let us educate our children—these children are the future. If we raise them properly and provide them with meaningful leadership, they will help us tomorrow. We should not abandon our children and allow them to roam aimlessly in the streets,” Abe said.
The minister also addressed the issue of land grabbing in the state, which he said is seriously hindering the work of the Ministry of Land and Housing.
“The State is going to carry out assessments in 13 areas, but ownership who have legal documents don’t know what steps to take. The Minister of Physical Infrastructure needs to begin allocating plots to the rightful owners, but land grabbers have become a blockage. If this issue is not handled properly, it could lead to bloodsheds, as some individuals are already resorting to the use of pangas, sticks, stones, and interfering with surveys.
As a government, we do not abandon our citizens—these are our people. However, the public must understand that there is a legal process regarding land ownership and order. When we go to these areas, we must show that the land has already been demarcated, and that some people have held legal documents since 2006. we need to identify all current occupants so that proper registration can be done. In cases where we need to acquire land from citizens, we will ensure they are relocated appropriately. But we must respect the legal system, the rule of law, and maintain order,” he said.
The minister also called on the people of Nyamini to resolve differences between the five clans, promoting brotherhood and sisterhood.
He stressed that unity, love, and mutual respect are essential for ensuring stable security in the community.
