By Yiep Joseph
Central Equatoria state of South Sudan has proposed establishing reformatory schools to help transform gang-involved youth.
The state security committee noted series of gang-related continuous anti-social behaviours emerging among young people that need transformation.
An extraordinary security meeting chaired by state governor Rabi Mujung Emmanuel, at Juba Block on Wednesday, came up with the proposal as a solution.
The meeting that was meant to address several pressing security concerns, resolved to construct a transformative school in the state.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Leon Abe Brown, the State Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement Agency, said that the committee observed an increase in crime cases and gang activities; hence, there is a need for intervention.
While transformation of the gang youth commonly known as “nigers” remains a priority, there is a need for transformation schools in the state.
He added that the Security Committee highlighted more on the importance of mental health support as a means to reduce the growing number of suicides in the state.
The minister added that taking the arrested gang to reformatory schools will transform them and ensure that they become better people.
“We currently lack reformatory schools. When gang members are arrested, they are often released without undergoing any reform. Establishing reformatory schools will offer vocational training and help reintegrate these individuals into society as responsible and productive citizens,” Abe said.
As a result of the meeting, the relevant security agencies were directed to intensify surveillance to tackle the ongoing problem of armed robberies as well as cases of gang group activities.
In addition, the security committee meeting urged the officials from the State Ministry of Health to continue with the inspection of residential clinics, citing that such action will ensure proper regulation to uphold public safety and deliver standard health services.
The minister said that the committee has acknowledged unlawful practice where security officials claimed to have been deployed in the market illegally collected money from traders.
“We’ve observed that certain individuals, claiming to represent security organs, deploy themselves for personal gain. This malpractice leads to inflated commodity prices due to illegal taxation. Such behaviour is unlawful,” he said.
He urged those behind malpractices to cease such activities, adding that only mandated and deployed security officials should be left to secure the markets.
According to the minister, the newly appointed governor and the team reaffirmed their commitment to addressing security challenges across the state.