By Ebi Kesiena
As protest against President Salva Kiir’s South Sudan government persists, internet services in the country were disrupted on Monday and security forces heavly deployed on the streets.
According to reports, a coalition of activist groups reiterated their call for public rallies demanding he resign. However, there was no sign early on Monday of major street gatherings in the capital Juba. Some activists told Reuters they were in hiding for security reasons.
Police said the activists had not sought permission to protest, and therefore any large demonstration would be illegal.
Police spokesperson, Daniel Justin Boulogne noted that government has deployed forces at least to keep order in case of any problem and the forces are in the streets for safety of all citizens.
In televised remarks to an elite unit, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Lt Gen. James Pui Yak said authorities would not “harm anybody” to break up demonstrations.
“They are just going to advice people to go on with their normal lives, we don’t want any disruption,” he said.
Residents in Juba told the media that as of Sunday evening, mobile data was unavailable on the network of South African mobile operator MTN Group , and by Monday morning it was also halted on the network of Kuwait-based operator, Zain Group.
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