By William Madouk
President Salva Kiir Mayardit has summoned top security officials for a briefing following Thursday night shooting between security forces loyal to the ex-spy chief Gen. Akol Koor Kuc, and the protection forces guarding his residence.
A well-placed source informed this outlet that the head-of-state is now having a closed-door meeting with security chiefs at his residence.
“President Salva Kiir this morning in his residence attended by the head of security organs including the presidential advisor on national security affairs, Tut Gatluak, chief of defense forces, Gen Santino Deng Wol, chief of MI and the director general of internal security bureau,”
Besides, the security meeting is also attended by other heads of security organs in the country.
President Kiir also assured former National Security Service (NSS) chief General Akol Koor Kuc and his family of their safety.
“The former chief of spy Gen Akol Koor and his family are safe, and the government assured him of maximum protection at all costs,”
A fragile calm returned to South Sudan’s capital, Juba, after Thursday night’s heavy fighting.
SSPDF spokesman Maj-Gen. Lul Ruai Koang attributed the heavy fighting to a misunderstanding between the two protection units stationed at Akol’s residence.
He added that army chief Santino Deng Wol had arrived at the scene to de-escalate the situation, ordering the cessation of hostilities.
“Around 30 minutes ago, there was a shooting at the residence of ex-spy chief Gen. Akol Koor, and it involved our own security forces that had been deployed there to provide extra security,” Lul Ruai said.
He explained that there were two security forces at the residence – an outer force and a platoon assigned for closer protection inside the compound.
“There was a misunderstanding between the two forces, and we do not know what had happened. That misunderstanding degenerated into the gunfire you heard earlier on,” he added.
As a result of the clashes, two servicemen were injured. Lul Ruai confirmed.
“An investigation will be carried out tomorrow to find out exactly what happened. Regarding the recent resumption of gunfire, we do not know the cause, but I am confident it will be contained again,” he concluded.
The army officer, however, refused to comment on the status of the arrest of Gen. Akol. He said that more information will be publicized in a press conference set for today.