Heavy gunfire was reported near military headquarters in Juba, South Sudan, on the evening of November 21, 2024. The conflict is linked to ongoing tensions between factions loyal to President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. Following the dismissal of a long-serving intelligence chief earlier this year, clashes have persisted as disagreements regarding power-sharing continue, especially in light of postponed national elections.
On the evening of Thursday, November 21, 2024, heavy gunfire erupted near military headquarters in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. While the gunfire began around 7 p.m. local time and persisted for over an hour, it periodically diminished. Efforts to ascertain the nature of the conflict are underway, as stated by a military spokesperson. The skirmishing is reflective of ongoing tensions between factions loyal to President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. Despite having formed a transitional government following a devastating civil war from 2013 to 2018, clashes have occurred over power-sharing disagreements. Particularly, tensions escalated when President Kiir dismissed longtime intelligence chief Akol Koor Kuc in October, appointing a close associate in his place, shortly after the announcement of a postponement for national elections scheduled in December.
The context for the recent outbreak of violence in Juba can be traced back to a prolonged civil war that erupted in 2013, during which rival factions led by President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar engaged in conflict, resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths. Although a peace agreement in 2018 established a transitional government led by both leaders, sporadic clashes have continued, fueled by disputes over power distribution. Additionally, the dismissal of intelligence chief Akol Koor Kuc in October has exacerbated tensions within the region, emphasizing the fragile state of peace that currently exists in South Sudan.
The recent eruption of heavy gunfire in Juba highlights the underlying tensions within South Sudan’s political landscape, particularly between factions loyal to President Kiir and First Vice President Machar. While peace has been maintained since the conclusion of the civil war, the ongoing disagreements over power-sharing and the recent dismissal of a key intelligence chief underscore the precarious nature of the current stability. Diplomatic efforts will be essential in addressing these tensions and preventing further violence as the nation approaches its postponed elections.
Original Source: indianexpress.com
