Gunfire Erupts in Juba Amid Coup Plot Arrest — General Akol Koor Kuc was last month sacked from his position as spy chief and redeployed as governor of Warrap State (Photo/File)

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JUBA - Gunfire exchanged rocked the South Sudanese capital of Juba on Thursday evening as security personnel battled to contain a former spymaster.

Sources in Juba say the exchange follows security orders to arrest and isolate General Akol Koor Kuc, who is accused of plotting a coup against President Salva Kiir.

The gunfire exchange lasts about 30 minutes, sources told the Nile Post. A video clip seen by this website shows the night sky being punctuated by fiery pops behind a hotel.

In a security advisory issued shortly before 8pm EAT, the United Nations Department for Safety and Security cited shooting in the vicinity of the Nimule Resort Hotel.

"The shooting incident around the general area of Nimule Resort Hotel, Tomping, is related to the arrest of the former NSS Director General," UNDS said in the advisory to all UNSMS [United Nations Security Management System] personnel.

"All personnel are advised to remain where they are and shelter in place. We will closely monitor the situation and report further developments."

The shooting led to heavy traffic at the Seventh Day Roundabout in Juba after drivers abandoned their vehicles and fled upon hearing gunshots in Tongpiny.

While the shooting had ceased after about 30 minutes, more heavy gunfire resumed around 10.45pm with heavy security deployment reported around the Blue House.

Sources say Gen Koor had been taken into custody at an undisclosed location.

Orders to isolate

The South Sudan chief of military intelligence, General Stephen Marshall, is said to have given orders for the arrest of the former spy chief.

Sources say there the military was ordered to use force to restrain Gen Koor if he resisted.

Mr Kiir sacked his powerful and long-serving spy chief early last month. Gen Koor became head of the feared National Security Services (NSS) after independence in 2011.

No reason was given in the presidential decree that announced his removal, which was read out on national TV - but he Koor was made governor of Mr Kiir home state of Warrup.

Analysts say it may signal a power-struggle in Kiir's inner circle - with some believing Gen Kuc may be being lined up to one day take over from the 73-year-old president, the BBC reported.

The events of Thursday evening appears to confirm the power struggle, with the former spy chief having already been disarmed of his private bodyguards.

The orders of arrest and isolation of Gen Koor was conveyed by a number of senior generals from South Sudan People's Defence Forces and Internal Security Bureau of NSS.

Oil-rich South Sudan became the world’s newest country 13 years ago after seceding from Sudan - but it was then engulfed by civil war after Kiir and his deputy Riek Machar fell out.

After five years of fighting, they signed a power-sharing agreement, which has been fraught with problems.

South Sudan was expected to go to polls in December for its first ever democratic elections but there is no sign of it, with Kiir having secured an extension citing lack of funds to organise the election.

SOURCE

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South Sudan: Heavy gunfire following orders…