Investigations are underway regarding a shootout at the residence of Akol Koor, South Sudan’s former spy chief, following his dismissal amid coup rumors. The incident in Juba lasted an hour, with conflicting reports about Koor’s status and the involvement of security forces. The situation underscores the nation’s ongoing instability and power struggles, exacerbated by postponed elections and economic hardship.
South Sudanese security forces are currently investigating a shootout that occurred at the residence of Akol Koor, the former head of the National Security Services (NSS), who was dismissed from his position nearly two months ago amid allegations of a coup plot. The incident took place on Thursday evening in the capital, Juba, which has been increasingly affected by political instability, ethnic conflicts, and economic challenges. Witness accounts described an hour of gunfire near Koor’s home in the Thongpiny district, leading to a substantial deployment of military personnel in the area.
The Sudans Post reported that Koor had been taken into custody following intense fighting, which reportedly resulted in numerous casualties among his soldiers. However, Lul Ruai Koang, a spokesman for the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), contradicted this narrative, confirming that Koor remains under house arrest and dismissing rumors of his escape to a United Nations compound as false.
John Kassara, a police spokesman, indicated that while calm had been restored, the area surrounding Koor’s residence remained sealed off, advising locals to remain vigilant. The United Nations staff in South Sudan had previously warned employees to take cover during the shooting, linking it directly to Koor’s arrest. Koor’s tenure as the NSS chief began following South Sudan’s independence in 2011, but his recent dismissal has fueled speculation about potential coup attempts against President Salva Kiir. Koang described the shootout as stemming from a “misunderstanding” between security forces assigned to protect Koor, which escalated to gunfire, resulting in injuries to two servicemen. This incident followed the recent postponement of the nation’s inaugural elections until December 2026, exacerbating international concerns regarding the transitional process to stabilize the nation after years of civil conflict.
The backdrop of this unfolding situation in South Sudan involves ongoing struggles for power among political factions, deeply rooted ethnic conflicts, and significant economic difficulties. Following a brutal civil war from 2013 to 2018, which claimed approximately 400,000 lives and displaced millions, South Sudan remains one of the least developed and most corrupt nations globally. The government has recently faced criticism for delaying the first elections in its history and failing to fulfill international demands for a unified military and constitutional reforms, leading to further unrest.
This incident highlights the precarious nature of security and political affairs in South Sudan, a nation still grappling with the legacies of a devastating civil war and internal strife. The investigation into the shootout and its aftermath may potentially reveal more about the tensions among security forces and the political landscape, especially in light of the ongoing postponement of pivotal elections.
Original Source: www.france24.com
