South Sudan probes shootout at sacked spy chief's home

RFI

22 November 2024 at 5:36 am·1-min read

Soldiers from the South Sudan People's Defence Forces.

South Sudan security forces were investigating Friday a shootout at the home of the troubled nation's powerful former spy chief Akol Koor, who was sacked almost two months ago amid rumours of a coup plot.

Gunfire erupted on Thursday evening in Juba, the capital of the world's youngest country that is plagued by power struggles, ethnic infighting and a deep economic malaise.

The shooting around the home of Koor, who was fired by President Salva Kiir in early October and then placed under house arrest, lasted about an hour, according to an AFP journalist.

There was a heavy deployment of military forces around his home in the Thongpiny district on Friday, an AFP correspondent said, but traffic has resumed and people are going about their daily business.

The Sudans Post newspaper had cited a military source as saying Koor had been arrested after intense fighting that reportedly left dozens of his soldiers dead or wounded.

But South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF) spokesman Lul Ruai Koang told AFP that "he remains at his house", denying claims circulating on social media that Koor had fled to the UN compound in Juba.

South Sudan postpones elections, extends transitional period

'Misunderstanding'

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'Misunderstanding'

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