SOE Over by Independence Day? That Depends..

Kareem Musa

The Minister of Home Affairs says he does not expect the Southside State of Emergency to be extended past September nineteenth, although he says the government is prepared to continue this approach to dealing with gang violence, if necessary. He points to the precedent set by the last administration.

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs

“I do not foresee that we will extend this SOE, but at the same time, like I told these young men today, we can continue this song and dance for as long as they want. It is totally up to them. Like I told you, last year, the Barrow Administration did two; they did a thirty-day and a ninety-day. Quite possibly we could be right back here if they cannot resolve their differences. And, like I said, they have more similarities than differences.   I think that this approach is different, it is revolutionary, it is new. It is something that they certainly have never seen, ministers coming and speaking to them, not as ministers but man to man. And, I will be back here before the end of the state of emergency, because I need to speak with them, I need to hear them without the cameras here.”