South Sudan shooting overshadows independence celebrations

July 9, 2016 (JUBA)- Heavy gunfire outside South Sudan presidential palace on Friday in the national capital, Juba, has forced residents to remain indoors, overshadowing the independence celebrations after the firing turned deadly.

The largely unexpected military confrontation took place while the three principals were inside the Presidential Compound discussing how they could find a solution to the incident in which five government soldiers were killed when a brawl between soldiers escalated to into clash at a main crossing point in Gudule.

The development unfolded as the 5th anniversary of independence from neighbouring Sudan was just few hours, with president Salva Kiir and his first deputy, Riek Machar preparing speeches meant to addressing the nation on a host of issues the leaders were yet to resolve in the smooth implementation of the 2015 peace agreement which they signed to end more than two years conflict. The young nation gained her sovereignty after years of brutal war, raising hopes that all was going to be well as the nation was now going to be run by the leaders and people who fought to establish a country of their choice.

These hopes, however, were brutally dashed when just days before Christmas in 2013, the leadership of the governing Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) could not agree on how to implement internal reforms as well as coming together to select their leader as the five year terms had elapsed, requiring members to hold fresh selection of the new leadership.

Tanks, in an attempt by the government to exert control on the town, rolled through the main streets once more as terrified residents struggled to access secure areas for protection. While the gunfire has on Saturday died down, residents are not certain that shooting will not resume. Many business owners, who hurriedly closed down and stayed in their premises with their staff and clients, who could not leave as the firing was continuing, remained indoors.

Troops from both sides, as well as other security organizations, like the police, have gone without salaries for months, and promise after promise failed to materialize, raising speculations it could have been one of the motives behind current situation, especially the two armed factions intended to celebrate independence day, now unlikely, due to lack of money in their pockets.

After the tense fighting in the capital, it remains unclear, if airlines from the region, especially from Nairobi and Entebbe, will be able to resume their operations as they were no flights on Saturday .

The airport was not opened for night flights on Friday , due to the risk of being hit by small arms fire or worse as planes come in to land or try to take off again.

Aviation authorities from the region have reportedly advised passengers destined for Juba as a matter of urgency to contact their airlines to find out, before they leave for the airport, if their booked flights would be able to land safely in Juba.

(ST)