Heavy gunfire erupted in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, on Thursday evening after security forces attempted to arrest the former head of the National Security Service, Akol Koor Kuc. The shooting lasted for over an hour, prompting safety warnings for UN staff.
Heavy gunfire broke out in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, on Thursday evening after security forces attempted to arrest the former head of the intelligence service, according to Reuters reporters and a UN staff alert.
The gunfire began around 7 p.m. local time (1700 GMT) and continued sporadically for over an hour before subsiding, reporters said. A UN safety alert sent to staff in Juba, seen by Reuters, stated the shooting was linked to the arrest of the former National Security Service (NSS) head. The alert advised UN staff to shelter in place.
In early October, President Salva Kiir dismissed Akol Koor Kuc, who had led the NSS since South Sudan’s independence from Sudan in 2011, and appointed a close ally to replace him.
Army spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang said that Akol Koor had not been arrested and remained at his home throughout the shooting. Koang added he would brief reporters later on Friday following a meeting with other security officials. Analysts noted that Akol Koor's dismissal pointed to a power struggle at the highest levels of government. This came weeks after Kiir’s transitional government announced the elections scheduled for December would be delayed for a second time.
Rival factions loyal to Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar fought a civil war from 2013 to 2018, resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths. The two have governed together since as part of a transitional government. While there has been relative peace, clashes between opposing forces and various armed groups in rural areas continue sporadically.
New Zealand’s parliament on Thursday passed legislation ending a ban on offshore oil and gas exploration, reversing a flagship policy of former Prim...
The European Commission has said it does not view imposing network fees on major technology firms as a practical solution to the ongoing debate over f...
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued a stark warning over unsustainable water usage, cautioning that the capital Tehran could face severe sh...
Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, the country's national railway company, has announced plans to construct more than 1,700 kilometers of new rail lines and upgr...
China and the United States have agreed to extend tariff pauses and deepen economic consultations following two days of trade talks in Stockholm, Chin...
Gunships and drones targeted a hospital and market in South Sudan’s Old Fangak, killing seven and injuring 20, amid escalating violence in the region.
South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has dismissed Foreign Minister Ramadan Mohamed and replaced him with his deputy, following a diplomatic clash with the United States over a deportation case.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announces immediate cancellation of U.S. visas for South Sudanese passport holders, citing Juba’s failure to accept repatriated citizens.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
Australian researchers have created a groundbreaking “biological AI” platform that could revolutionise drug discovery by rapidly evolving molecules within mammalian cells.
Australian researchers have pioneered a low-cost and scalable plasma-based method to produce ammonia gas directly from air, offering a green alternative to the traditional fossil fuel-dependent Haber-Bosch process.
A series of earthquakes have struck Guatemala on Tuesday afternoon, leading authorities to advise residents to evacuate from buildings as a precaution against possible aftershocks.
'Superman' continued to dominate the summer box office, pulling in another $57.25 million in its second weekend, as theatres welcome a wave of blockbuster competition following a challenging few years for the film industry.
New Zealand’s parliament on Thursday passed legislation ending a ban on offshore oil and gas exploration, reversing a flagship policy of former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s government.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued a stark warning over unsustainable water usage, cautioning that the capital Tehran could face severe shortages as early as September if consumption is not brought under control, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Thursday.
The U.S. Federal Reserve left its benchmark interest rate unchanged on Wednesday, maintaining the target range at 4.25% to 4.50%, despite mounting pressure from the Trump administration to ease borrowing costs.
You’ve probably seen the headlines: sweeping tariffs, surprise pauses, and a 90-day ticking clock that could reshape global trade. But what exactly is Trump’s 90-day pause — and why does it matter for the world economy? Let’s break it down
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment