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.
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.
Britain has advised its nationals to evacuate South Sudan as fears of renewed civil war grow following the collapse of a fragile peace deal.
U.S. President Donald Trump has abruptly ended trade negotiations with Canada, citing Ottawa’s plan to implement a digital tax targeting major tech firms.
Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have signed a U.S.-brokered peace agreement, raising hopes of ending fighting that has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands this year.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said he would consider further bombing of Iranian nuclear sites if Tehran’s uranium enrichment reaches levels that raise concerns in Washington.
The United States and China have resolved disputes over rare earth mineral and magnet shipments, overcoming a key hurdle that had delayed a trade agreement reached in May.
The European Union plans closer cooperation with Pacific Rim nations under the CPTPP to advance global trade rules, but insists it is not seeking to replace the World Trade Organization.
Iran launched 18 ballistic missiles late Sunday targeting the U.S. military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American installation in the Middle East.
The U.S. Embassy in Qatar has advised American citizens to shelter in place amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran, as part of a broader global security alert issued by Washington.
The U.S. economy faces a 40% risk of recession in the second half of 2025, JP Morgan analysts said on Wednesday, citing rising tariffs and stagflation concerns.
Severe rain in Venezuela has caused rivers to overflow and triggered landslides, sweeping away homes and collapsing a highway bridge, with five states affected and no casualties reported so far.
In a televised address on Saturday night, U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced that American forces, in coordination with Israel, had conducted precision strikes on Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites, aiming to dismantle Tehran’s enrichment capabilities.
U.S. President Donald Trump has abruptly ended trade negotiations with Canada, citing Ottawa’s plan to implement a digital tax targeting major tech firms.
Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have signed a U.S.-brokered peace agreement, raising hopes of ending fighting that has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands this year.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said he would consider further bombing of Iranian nuclear sites if Tehran’s uranium enrichment reaches levels that raise concerns in Washington.
The United States and China have resolved disputes over rare earth mineral and magnet shipments, overcoming a key hurdle that had delayed a trade agreement reached in May.
The European Union plans closer cooperation with Pacific Rim nations under the CPTPP to advance global trade rules, but insists it is not seeking to replace the World Trade Organization.
U.S. President Donald Trump has abruptly ended trade negotiations with Canada, citing Ottawa’s plan to implement a digital tax targeting major tech firms.
Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have signed a U.S.-brokered peace agreement, raising hopes of ending fighting that has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands this year.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said he would consider further bombing of Iranian nuclear sites if Tehran’s uranium enrichment reaches levels that raise concerns in Washington.
The United States and China have resolved disputes over rare earth mineral and magnet shipments, overcoming a key hurdle that had delayed a trade agreement reached in May.
The European Union plans closer cooperation with Pacific Rim nations under the CPTPP to advance global trade rules, but insists it is not seeking to replace the World Trade Organization.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment