At least three young people died of gunshots on Thursday and 75 were taken to Yambio hospital for treatment after police cracked down a rally of children protesting over unpaid promises. Five were in critical condition.
Western Equatoria officials promised to pay the children who performed at Yambio’s CPA celebrations last Tuesday.
A local source told SCR News that the performers were asked to come Thursday morning to collect their pay. However, they were told there was no money and they were turned away.
The kids started running amok in the streets and over 100 police in anti-riot gave chase to them during a one-hour long shootout, a witness told SCR News.
Western Equatoria Governor Jemma Nunu told Reuters on Friday that at least 22 people were injured in the clashes.
However, local sources told SCR News that at least 75 youngsters were admitted to Yambio Hospital to get treatment from injuries sustained by police gunshots and beatings.
Our source added that calm returned to Yambio streets only after Catholic bishop Eduardo Hiiboro pleaded with the parents not to retaliate and go home.