Fighting erupts at J-1, during the weekly cabinet meeting in Juba

kiir-riek at J-1 — President Kiir and VPs Kiir, Machar and Igga addressing the Media via SSBC inside presidential palace now as gunfire continue in Juba

President Kiir, Dr. Riek Machar and Wani Igga safe within the J-1 building, together with representatives from JMEC. What happened is sheer stupidity, for how dare one open fire in a cabinet meeting attended by all the leaders of the country and then run away?
On the number of people killed at and around J-1 during the fighting; here are the conflicting figures reported so far. There is no consensus, all sides quoted hospital sources for validation:
Mach-Kuol 1: Total dead: 305; gov’t=49; IO=256
Mach-Kuol 3: Total dead: 146; IO=37; gov’t=109
Mach-Kuol 2: Total dead: 271; IO = 190; Gov’t = 44; CIVILIANS= 32; POLICE= 5

kiir and riek addressing the media — president and VPs Kiir, Machar and Igga addressing the Media via SSBC inside presidential palace now as gunfire continue in Juba

Update from the National Courier

J1: President Kiir, Wani and Riek have just addressed the journalist at J1.

President Kiir said they are not sure what happened. He said that what happened has been unfortunate incident.Dr Riek has echoed his sentiments and urged for people to stay calm. He said, “this is a very unfortunate incident which none of us really knows what has happened.”Magok Chilim, the Director of SBBC has made an announcement on the TV saying there is nothing going on, that the security is ok. He told the audience to say calm and stop running around and to celebrate Independence Day where they are. He said that “there is nothing going on. Stop running around as if there is anything going on.”More details on Presidency news conference to follow.Copyright © 2016 The National Courier

kiiriek at j-1 — President Kiir and VPs Kiir, Machar and Igga addressing the Media via SSBC inside presidential palace now as gunfire continue in Juba

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PaanLuel Wël

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PaanLuel Wël is the founder and editor-in-chief of PaanLuel Wël Media Ltd, a news website that covers news, opinions, analysis, history, culture and literature of South Sudan and the world. Founded in July 2011 by PaanLuel Wël to create a platform for free expression and constructive dialogue, the website features articles from various contributors, including columnists, commentators, poets, authors, activists and academics. PaanLuel Wël believes that media can play a vital role in informing, educating and empowering the people to participate in nation-building and social transformation. He also believes that media can foster a culture of dialogue, tolerance and diversity among different communities and groups, and hopes to inspire and mentor the next generation of South Sudanese writers and journalists.

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