Deadly Gunfire Incident at Residence of Former South Sudan Spy Chief

South Sudan is experiencing ongoing confusion and uncertainty following a fatal shootout at the residence of Gen Akol Koor Kuc, a former influential spy chief. The exchange of fire continued for over 50 minutes on Thursday evening, leading residents in Juba, the capital, to shut down their establishments and stay inside for protection. Gen Kuc, who previously held a significant position within President Salva Kiir’s close associates, was removed from his role as head of the National Security Services (NSS) last month and subsequently placed under house arrest the previous week. An army spokesperson informed the BBC that two soldiers and two civilians died after a “serious misunderstanding” occurred among the troops stationed at Gen Kuc’s residence. Major-General Lul Ruai Koang, also an army spokesperson, confirmed to the BBC that Gen Kuc was unharmed once the shooting ceased. Officials have not disclosed the cause of the “misunderstanding” at Gen Kuc’s property. Even with the 2018 peace accord that concluded the five-year civil conflict, widespread insecurity persists across numerous regions of South Sudan, including Juba and its surrounding areas. Nevertheless, during a press conference held on Friday evening, Gen Koang provided the casualty figures, specifying that the two civilians who perished in the event were a student and a lawyer. These individuals were reportedly close to Gen Kuc’s home in the Thongping suburb and became victims of the gunfire. Beyond the two soldiers who lost their lives, an additional two sustained injuries. Gen Koang informed the BBC that an inquiry into the origins of Thursday’s shooting was being established. He stated that before the occurrence, Gen Kuc’s mobility had been “restricted,” though the army spokesperson could not explain the rationale behind this decision. According to Gen Koang, subsequent to the former spy chief being informed of this restriction, “additional security forces” were dispatched to his home. “We had a platoon-sized force that was deployed outside his residence, and we had a smaller force… inside the compound.” Gen Koang then added, “Then we do not know what happened. There was a very serious misunderstanding between the two forces which resulted in exchange of gunfire.” He further mentioned that upon receiving news of the gunfire, Gen Santino Deng, who leads South Sudan’s defence forces, promptly arrived at the location and commanded the troops to cease fire. Gen Koang reported that Gen Kuc has since been moved from his Thongping residence to his alternative home in the Jebel suburb, situated to the south of Juba. President Kirr announced the general’s dismissal via a presidential decree on 2 October, though he did not provide any justification for this action. According to analysts, Gen Kuc’s removal from his position might indicate an internal power struggle, with some speculating that the general was potentially being groomed to succeed the 73-year-old president at some point. The exact age of the former spy chief remains unknown, but he is thought to be in his late 50s or early 60s. Following his dismissal from the spy chief role, Gen Kuc received an appointment as governor of Warrap, the president’s home state. Some observers thought this appointment could contribute to reducing violence in Warrap, a significant conflict zone in South Sudan. The gubernatorial position was also seen by some as an opportunity for Gen Kuc to gain experience in a civilian capacity, possibly as preparation for a political career. Nevertheless, only a few days later, the president rescinded Gen Kuc’s appointment as governor. Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafricaCopyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.