Heavy gunfire broke out in Juba, South Sudan, as security forces attempted to detain former National Security Service (NSS) director, General Akol Koor Kuc. The clashes, involving elements loyal to Koor and the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), occurred near the Nimule Resort Hotel in Tongping.
The operation, initiated on President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s orders, was led by SSPDF Chief of Military Intelligence General Marshall Stephen. It followed Koor’s dismissal last month amid allegations of plotting a coup against the government. The attempt to apprehend Koor resulted in a confrontation between the outer and inner security teams stationed at his residence, leading to an exchange of gunfire that injured two SSPDF servicemen.
SSPDF spokesperson Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai described the incident as a “misunderstanding” among deployed forces. He assured the public that the situation was under control after Chief of Defense Forces Gen. Santino Deng Wol intervened to halt hostilities. Investigations into the clashes are set to begin, with officials urging residents to remain indoors for safety.
Eyewitnesses reported a chaotic scene as gunfire erupted, leading to traffic congestion near the Seventh-Day Roundabout and panic among residents. Shops in the vicinity closed abruptly, and many civilians fled in fear. Activists, including Edmund Yakani and Ter Manyang Gatwech, called for calm, emphasizing the importance of resolving political disputes peacefully to avoid further destabilizing the nation and endangering civilian lives.
Unconfirmed reports indicate Koor has been detained and taken to Bilpam, the SSPDF headquarters. However, other sources suggest his whereabouts remain unclear, with claims that dozens of his loyalists were killed or injured during the operation.
The incident has raised concerns about the fragility of South Sudan’s 2018 peace agreement, with observers warning that political tensions and violence could further jeopardize stability in the country.