Hundreds Of Southern Street Children Poisoned To Death In Khartoum, Sudan

South Sudanese citizens still residing in Khartoum have informed Gurtong via telephone that hundreds of street children of Southern origin were allegedly poisoned to death in different markets of Khartoum city between 26th and 27th of June.

While speaking to Gurtong yesterday from Khartoum, Elizabeth Amony revealed that on Sunday the 26th alone, 72 South Sudanese street children were found dead as reported from different market centres.

“These young South Sudanese street families locally known as ‘shamasin’ who loiter around various towns of north Sudan are habitually fond of sniffing glue, smoking cigarettes, and usually find nowhere to sleep as days and nights pass,” Elizabeth explained to Gurtong.

Reliable sources revealed that some northern Sudanese traders allegedly place water filled plastic bottles along corridors adjacent to shops in the reach of destitute groups; majority being street children who are purely African or south Sudanese.

These destitute groups and street children move around markets picking left over foods and selling empty plastic bottles to earn petty income. In the process and once they get thirsty, they scoop water from these same bottles filled by the Arab traders and enjoy drinking to quench their thirst.

“So, this is how they probably get poisoned easily and cheaply. It must have been planned by popular enemies who basically oppose the upcoming Independence celebration for the soon to be Republic of South Sudan, on 9th July, 2011,” South Sudanese officials explained.

Mary Aporu, a south Sudanese residing in Khartoum told Gurtong that Suk Weida where a big number of South Sudanese reside has registered the highest death toll so far but figures have not been confirmed as different cases have not been tallied from other markets in the city.

“Fears among Southerners have flared up while most are stranded. Others have rescheduled their flights in order to join the south in the upcoming historic celebrations,” Aporu, a mother of 4 elaborated.

Among markets suspected to have hundreds of South Sudanese street children poisoned are Suk sita, Suk Omduruman, Suk Afrenji and Suk Al Harabi.

The Eastern Equatoria State Deputy Governor, Nartisio Loluke Manir who is deeply concerned over the evil actions taken against innocent South Sudanese in the north, strongly condemned the move.

He told Gurtong that together with the State Governor Hon. Lobong, they were making contacts with other reliable sources in the north to establish and investigate the matter.

A bout four days ago, different media houses reported that at least over 60 homeless people between ages of 13 and 25 had died almost mysteriously in different parts of the North Sudanese towns three days after they drank a combination of methanol including other toxic substances.

According to these sources, the head of Khartoum State’s Criminal Police Department, Major General Mohamed Ahmed was quoted while saying in a statement that all these deaths were caused by a consumption of methanol and other toxic substances.

He confirmed that at least 6 suspects accused of being dealers or suppliers have been arrested.

It is estimated that over 35,000 homeless children who live in Khartoum were displaced from the former armed conflicts from various regions notably south and western Sudan.

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