S. Sudan launches surveillance drones to fight crime

JUBA, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan on Monday evening launched air surveillance drones operated by an Israel company that will help improve security around Juba in line with the vision of smart city, according to President Salva Kiir.

Kiir said he had achieved his promise in February 2016 of implementing the smart city in the war-torn country.

"This is what has happened that everybody can be screened wherever he or she is going, those who snatch things from the hands of women on the streets can now be traced. They can't get away with the crime," Kiir said on the hi-tech gadgets to be operated by security agencies, during the launch in Juba.

South Sudan descended into violence in December 2013 after political dispute between Kiir and his former deputy turned rebel chief Riek Machar led to split within the SPLA, leaving soldiers to fight alongside ethnic lines.

The 2015 peace agreement to end the conflict was weakened after the outbreak of renewed fighting in July 2016 caused the SPLA-in opposition rebel leader Machar to flee the capital. Enditem