Police in South Sudan on Friday declared a nighttime curfew the morning after an anti-Sudanese demonstration in the capital Juba degenerated into looting.

Authorities had fired warning shots on Thursday after protesters pillaged Sudanese-owned shops during a demonstration against the reported deaths of 29 South Sudanese citizens in Wad Madani, the capital of Sudan's Al-Jazira State.

AFP has not been able to independently verify the reported deaths. "As a counter measure, we have ordered for a curfew starting at 6:00 pm," police chief Abraham Manyuat announced on state television, as new protests began in the capital and other towns. "These additional measures are to prevent any violations of public and private property," he said.

South Sudan, the world's youngest country, gained independence from Sudan in 2011.