By: Esther Aurelio Agira
If you walk through the streets of Juba today, one disturbing reality is impossible to ignore: these groups, made up of young people, some as young as 14 and others up to 25 years old, move in clusters and call themselves “Niggas”. Armed with panga, knives and sometimes guns and they appear to fearless, even confronting police officers who attempt to stop their violent activities.
These young people should be in schools and colleges, enjoying their childhood and preparing for better future. Instead, they roam the streets robbing, killing innocent civilians, and spreading fear across Juba. Their violence extends beyond theft and murder; young girls are also subjected to rape and other forms of sexual violence. Even more alarming is the fact that these crimes often occur in broad daylight. This raises urgent questions about public safety and the future of Juba.
In July of lats year, the government of South Sudanese has launched a coordinated security operation targeting these gang group (Niggas) in Juba. The operation aimed to eliminate gangsterism and restore security in the capital. Initially, many residents welcome the move, hopeful that it would help reduce crime and bring back a sense of safety.
However, concern soon emerged. several families reported that their children were taken in front of their homes during the operation and to this day, some parents do not know the whereabouts of their sons. These complaints raised serious questions about the methods used and whether innocent youth were adequately protected.
While it is undeniable that these gangs pose a serious threat to public safety, security responses must be guided by justice, not fear. Before carrying out mass arrest or harsh punishments, authorities must seek to understand the root causes that drive young people into violence. Lasting peace cannot be achieved through force alone.
Gang groups, did not form overnight, and criminal behavior does not emerge without cause. Their involvement in crime is driven by multiple factors, including peer pressure, family dysfunction such as abuse and neglect, mental health challenges like emotional distress, and widespread poverty. These conditions create an environment where young people became vulnerable to negative influence and criminal networks.
Therefore, the blame should not be placed on families alone. The Government of South Sudan must also take responsibility for failing to provide a conducive environment for its youth. For years, the young people’s welfare has not been prioritized, leaving many without access to quality education, employment opportunities, psychological support. When a society neglects its youth, crime becomes not merely a personal choice but a symptom of systematic failure.
Even more concerning is the decision to take some of members to Upper Nile State for compulsory military training under the pretext of punishment and discipline. This approach risks turning troubled youth into more dangerous, trained offenders rather than rehabilitated and productive citizens.
A lasting solution to gang violence cannot be achieved through force or compulsory military service alone. Such measures may suppress crime temporarily, but they do not address the its root causes. Durable peace and stability will only be realized through investment in education, mental health support, economic opportunities, and social protection.
South Sudan’s young people are not the problem; they are the future. If they are nurtured, protected, and empowered, they can become agents of change. Ignoring their needs today will only deepen the crisis tomorrow.
By: Esther Aurelio Agira
Email: esteraurelio91@gmail.com
Telephone number; 0921492857