Five soldiers killed as fighting breaks out in South Sudan’s army barracks

JUBA

Five soldiers died when heavy fighting broke out in the main military barracks in war-torn South Sudan’s capital Juba on Wednesday, underscoring serious tensions within the national army as it battles a rebel uprising.

Fierce gunfire lasting two hours was heard coming from the main barracks near Juba University, home to the presidential guards and other elite troops, from 9.30am.

The government played down the violence as resulting from a “misunderstanding” over pay.

Army spokesman Malak Ayuen told AFP that five soldiers had been killed and that those found responsible would face a court martial.

STAY INDOORS

“It’s unfortunate that this morning fighting ensued among the commandos themselves over salary,” he said.

“What happened was a misunderstanding among the commandos and it ended in their unit.”

According to independent Tamazuj radio, the fighting started after soldiers argued with a military pay committee. Other local media carried unconfirmed reports that the fighting broke out between guards loyal to President Salva Kiir and a commando unit under top general Gatwech Gai.

The US embassy in Juba issued a statement advising people to stay indoors as hundreds of terrified residents flooded the main church in Juba, fearing a major outbreak of violence.

“When the fighting started we immediately ran to the church for protection,” said Annet Sitima, a local woman.

The conflict in South Sudan started in the capital Juba under similar circumstances nearly three months ago amid tensions within the ruling party between President Kiir and former vice- president Riek Machar.

The December 15 clashes, which spilt the army along ethnic lines, quickly spread across the country.

Since the initial week of fighting in Juba, the capital has been largely calm and key installations have been guarded by Ugandan troops, who intervened in the conflict in support of President Kiir.

THOUSANDS DEAD

Fighting between the national army and the rebels — made up of defectors and ethnic militia — has been centred around the towns of Bor, Malakal and Bentiu further north.

The unrest in South Sudan, the world’s newest nation which won independence from Khartoum in 2011, has left thousands dead and has displaced close to 900,000 people, including tens of thousands who have crammed into UN bases in fear of ethnic attacks.

At the same time, Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Rwanda and Burundi plan sending troops to South Sudan.

South Sudan peace mediator and special envoy of Igad Seyoum Mesfin told reporters today that the five neighbouring countries had expressed interest in contributing soldiers to the regional peacekeeping unit the regional authority proposed.

“On the composition of this force, countries in the region are being consulted. The force that will be deployed will be very small. The reason is we want to make it cost-effective and affordable for the international community to sustain this mission,” said Seyoum.

(AFP and Andualem Sisay Nation Correspondent)