While addressing the demonstrators who were protesting the killing of a couple in Nyakuron residential area recently, the Police Inspector General after expressing condolence for the deaths of the two innocent persons advised the citizens to cooperate with the police and to report to them any suspected criminals or behaviours they think are likely to turn into criminal actions so that the police can intervene before they turn into crimes.

The Inspector General's words are important and it is now left to the citizens on how to use them effectively in their protection against criminals. While the Ministry of Interior has shown serious concern about the safety of the citizens of the Republic of South Sudan in their different walks of life including those of other people who are residents in this country, there is still a great need for the Ministry and the public to cooperate in safeguarding the security of this nation and its population as a joint responsibility.

It is disheartening to hear about further attacks like the one reported at the small stream called Kor Angereb between Nesitu and Ngangala last Monday by unknown gunmen who opened fire indiscriminately on the vehicle. Several innocent citizens were also attacked in another shooting incident in Juba-Nimule Road and are currently under treatment in Juba hospital. These terrible events took place just a few days after the whole nation was shocked and saddened by the tragic death of the police general in the hands of armed criminals. This string of crimes needs to be critically viewed from several perspectives. It is reassuring that the Deputy Minister of Interior in an interview with the Sudan Tribune website reporters had said police presence in the area has been beefed up.

While that is a clear indication that our government security organs are twenty four hours in surveillance for these dangerous criminals whose identities are not yet established and are just called unknown gunmen who are ready to cause harm, some questions need to be answered by those concerned about the origin of such criminals.

Are we sure these elements were not sent by the Sudan Government to destabilize our government? Since there exist South Sudan militia elements in Sudan they can always infiltrate to sensitive areas like Juba-Nimule Road which is one of the two important roads bringing into our country the essentials that we need. The other road is Narus-Torit-Juba Road from Kenya. Sudan had promised to destabilize our peaceful government by using its so-called Plan B.

Since we have elements from our citizenry who are being used as mercenaries in our common border with them, Omer Al Bashir as a leading sponsor of international terrorism whose agents get their training in Sudan can send these guys in small number to infiltrate our peaceful environment and cause our people havoc. We should not dismiss hypotheses and theories because with the Arabs of Sudan under Al Bashir, certain things related to terrorism are possible.

He had sent terrorists in mid-1995 to Addis Ababa to assassinate the former now imprisoned Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Al Bashir had trained and sent Sudanese terrorists to participate with other terrorists to blast the US embassies in Nairobi and Dar Es Salam in 1998.

Let us not also forget the story of Philip Lasuba Mangistu the corporal turned major general who travelled from Khartoum through Kenya and Uganda to his village on Imotong Mountain in Eastern Equatoria with support allegedly from Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin of SPLM-DC and late General George Athor with the aim of recruiting rebels from his community in Eastern Equatoria State.

Look at the distances the terrorists had covered from Khartoum to the spots of their crimes. See also that distance which the young corporal covered from Khartoum to his village and consider the short distance which dangerous militia elements can travel to cause us havoc near Juba.

So since there are no bad elements like LRA whose presence in the past was witnessed in the same area where unknown gunmen have shot indiscriminately at innocent citizens travelling in the road, the origin of such dangerous elements should be established and nib to the bud so that there is no fear using the roads by all people, citizens and those people residing or visiting the new nation, the Republic of South Sudan. We must watch out for the security of our great nation and its people and prevent terrorist Omer Al Bashir from fooling our security system.