Deadly shooting in Gudele, Juba; five soldiers confirmed killed
6 min readCompiled press Reports from Gordon Buay, James Gadet, Hon. Kuol Manyang, Hon. Mabior Garang, JMEC and National Cuorier
Form Gordon Buay Malek (version of events from the gov’t side)
For Immediate Release
July 8, 2016 (SSB) — I want to inform the public that a platoon of the SPLA-IO attacked SPLA unit at Gudele checkpoint and killed four SPLA soldiers. The incident took place at 8 PM today.
The clash happened when the SPLA-IO forces refused to be stopped at the checkpoint for security inspection. The South Sudan Council of Ministers ordered the security forces to check all the cars to weed out the problem of unknown gunmen in Juba.
When the SPLA soldiers stopped the SPLA-IO cars to confirm that they were not unauthorized vehicles, they opened fire and killed five soldiers of the SPLA and ran to Jebel Ngundeng.
I want to inform the public that there is NO fighting in Juba. The clash is contained and the First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar has ordered an investigation. All the SPLA-IO who attacked the SPLA soldiers at the checkpoint have been detained as per the orders of Dr. Riek Machar.
The people of South Sudan should NOT panic; there is no fighting in our capital city. The situation is contained.
From James Gatdet Dak, Riek Machar’s spokesperson (version of events from SPLM-IO)
There was military clash between 10 of our soldiers (SPLA-IO) and forces of the SPLA at around 8pm this evening in Juba. SPLA forces attacked our soldiers from the protection unit who were traveling in a vehicle on Gudele road in the town.
They were taking food to our soldiers who always sleep in the office of the First Vice President to guide it. A number of soldiers have been killed on the other side (SPLA). Two of our soldiers have sustained wounds.
The clash which lasted for more than 10 minutes has however stopped and our soldiers have returned to their base at Jebel Kujur. They have however remained vigilant.
The situation is tense, but we hope the other side will stop the provocations to resume war.
JMEC Press Release on Violence in South Sudan
PRESS RELEASE
JMEC is deeply concerned by recent episodes of fighting in many parts of the country. As the organization mandated to monitor and evaluate the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, the Commission deems such conflict could be in flagrant violation of the permanent ceasefire agreement. These incidents continue to entail significant loss of innocent lives and destruction of property. Recent reports indicate that in Wau, more than 40 people have died and approximately 90,000 people have been displaced – out of which an estimated 12,000 are currently under the protection of UNMISS. Another 60,000 of the displaced are sheltered at various sites, including schools and churches.
In the same manner, the security situation in Juba is deteriorating. Reports of shooting at various sites, targeting innocent citizens and some members of the international community present in Juba to support the people and government of South Sudan in their pursuit to restore peace and stability in the country. Reports of exchange of fire between the armed groups of SPLM-IG and SPLM-IO are also worrisome.
JMEC calls on all the parties to refrain from the use of force and engage in dialogue to ensure the implementation of the peace agreement in letter and spirit. It is high time to train and deploy the Joint Integrated Police to assume the full responsibility for security in Juba. The full operationalization of Joint Integrated Police (JIP) and Joint Operation Centre (JOC) should be addressed as a matter of priority. JMEC calls on the Transitional Government of National Unity to do its utmost to reduce the number of incidents across the country that are contributing to an environment of instability, violence and impeding citizens from leading normal and peaceful lives.
JMEC Secretariat
July, 8th 2016
SPLM IO Report
MABIOR GARANG DE MABIOR·FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2016
SPLA IO Military Intelligent Report.
Incident in Lou Clinic on Gudele Road in Juba, South Sudan.
July 7, 2016.
At around 8:00 pm two cars from the guards of the FVP Dr. Riek Machar Teny took food to the soldiers guarding the office of the FVP Dr. Riek Machar Teny. The two cars, after dropping food, were driving back to Jebel Site area.
The services car of the house of FVP Dr. Riek Machar Teny with only one driver was stopped by SPLA Military Police. The driver alerted the other car that his car was stopped by the SPLA.
The other car stopped and the soldiers came out of the car and informed the SPLA Military Intelligent that the car they are searching belongs to the FVP Dr. Riek Machar Teny together with this car and the soldiers are also guards of FVP Dr. Riek Machar Teny.
The officer leading the SPLA Military Intelligent who stopped the car ordered his soldiers to “arrest all” and immediately the SPLA Military Intelligent responded by advancing to arrest and the SPLA IO started to pull back to their cars. All of a sudden the SPLA Military Intelligent fired at the SPLA IO soldiers.
The shotout started there. 2 SPLA IO soldiers were wounded. 1 SPLA Military Intelligent were wounded soldier and 4 SPLA Soldiers killed.
In another note, President Salva Kiir Mayardit and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny at around 8:50 pm talked on the phone and agreed to appeal for calm and ordered the Generals from both sides to stop this incident.
The incident so far is contained.
Moreover, in another incident, at around 9:00 pm near the USA Embassy Residence at the Airport Road a USA Embassy Bullet proof car with 7 Diplomats inside was sprayed with 50 rounds of bullets by the SPLA Soldiers. The Diplomats survived because of the car being armoured.
End of report.
The National Courier
MoD: Five soldiers are dead following shooting but situation is calm says Minister of Defence.
The Minister of Defence Kuol Manyang Juuk has told a local radio station that the situation is calm in Juba and the citizens should go about their business. General Kuol said that the incident that caused tensions last night is under investigation.
He said that the preliminary information is that a car belonging to Riek Machar’s militias was travelling west towards Gudele. Once the car reached Lou Clinic Gudele Road roundabout the armed men in the car opened fire “to the left and to the right sides of the road” killing five soldiers. Among the dead three were from the SPLA Military Police and two were from National Security. GEN Kuol said the force that had set up a checkpoint was made up of Police (CID), NS, MP and regular SPLA. He said they were checking cars for arms because there has been increased insecurity in the area in recent days.
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