ADVERTISEMENT

Shooting heard in tense capital, Juba - residents

Africa's youngest nation was devastated by a war that broke out in December 2013 when President Salva Kiir sacked his vice president, Riek Machar.

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir addresses the nation at the South Sudan National Parliament in Juba, November 18, 2015.

Africa's youngest nation was devastated by a war that broke out in December 2013 when President Salva Kiir sacked his vice president, Riek Machar.

"I heard a sound of gunshots and people were running everywhere," Juba resident Ramdan Kazimiro told Reuters.

Another resident who did not want to reveal his name told Reuters gunfire was heard in Gudele, a suburb in Juba's west, where Machar also has a residence.

ADVERTISEMENT

"The military put their cars in the middle of the road coming from Gudele...the whole area is (in) lock down by the government military," he said.

A Reuters witness said there was apprehension in Juba, with terrified people hurrying to their homes, fearful major violence could break out again.

Government officials could not be reached for comment.

Earlier Thursday there was also shooting in Wau, a flashpoint town in South Sudan's northwest which forced at least 200 civilians to flee to a United Nations compound in the area for safety.

South Sudan's last war, which largely pitted Kiir's Dinka ethnic group against Machar's Nuer, ended after a peace agreement was signed by the two sides in August last year.

ADVERTISEMENT

Shantal Persaud, spokeswoman for the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), told Reuters gunfire broke out south of the mission's compound in the town of Wau at around 9.00am.

The capital of South Sudan's Bahr el Ghazal state, Wau has been the scene of renewed fighting between government forces and armed groups in recent days that has forced thousands to flee.

Shooting continued on Thursday until around 10:00 am, Persaud said. "After the shooting started, some 200-250 civilians arrived at ...the UNMISS Wau base," she told Reuters.

She said it was unclear what sparked the fighting or which groups were involved.

ADVERTISEMENT

South Sudan's economy has been struggling because oil production, on which the government nearly wholly depends for its revenues, plummeted during the conflict.

Any renewed instability is likely to disrupt the fragile recovery process and keep the vast majority of its 11 million people mired in poverty.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Global body says Nigeria has shortage of 250,000 doctors

Global body says Nigeria has shortage of 250,000 doctors

Heavy security as Ogun governorship tribunal delivers judgement

Heavy security as Ogun governorship tribunal delivers judgement

Italian bags 24 years in jail for beating physically challenged Nigerian to death

Italian bags 24 years in jail for beating physically challenged Nigerian to death

Tinubu will rewrite Nigeria’s history for good - SGF Akume

Tinubu will rewrite Nigeria’s history for good - SGF Akume

Omo-Agege rejects Delta governorship tribunal's verdict, heads to Appeal Court

Omo-Agege rejects Delta governorship tribunal's verdict, heads to Appeal Court

Former Kwara commissioner explains EFCC invitation

Former Kwara commissioner explains EFCC invitation

Kogi Senator denies keeping killer squad, thugs

Kogi Senator denies keeping killer squad, thugs

We are coming after all of you - CDS tells bandits, terrorists

We are coming after all of you - CDS tells bandits, terrorists

Court orders Kano govt to pay ₦30bn compensation to shop owners over demolition

Court orders Kano govt to pay ₦30bn compensation to shop owners over demolition

Pulse Sports

I still love guys - Super Falcons' Michelle Alozie reacts to lesbian rumour

I still love guys - Super Falcons' Michelle Alozie reacts to lesbian rumour

Heartbreak for Nigeria as AFCON 2027 bid slips away to East African rivals

Heartbreak for Nigeria as AFCON 2027 bid slips away to East African rivals

Victor Boniface or Harry Kane: Who has had the better Bundesliga start?

Victor Boniface or Harry Kane: Who has had the better Bundesliga start?

Steph Curry: NBA star lists Nigeria's Burna Boy and WizKid among favorite music artists

Steph Curry: NBA star lists Nigeria's Burna Boy and WizKid among favorite music artists

Controversy as Super Falcons' Michelle Alozie unveils her 'female lover'

Controversy as Super Falcons' Michelle Alozie unveils her 'female lover'

AFCON 2027: Algeria hands Nigeria a major boost

AFCON 2027: Algeria hands Nigeria a major boost

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT