South Sudan Fighting Leaves More Than 100 Soldiers Dead

By Margaret Lole

JUBA, 10 June 2016 [Gurtong]-President Salva Kiir and the first Vice president designate, Riek Machar on Saturday said that those fighting are anti-peace elements who are terrorizing towns in the country.

Riek Machar urged his once loyal troops to remain calm and said that measures will be taken against those involved in the uncalled for fighting.

The circumstances under which the shooting erupted on Saturday however, at the presidential palace remain unclear. Gunfire could be heard outside the presidential palace as journalist who were in the building remained locked inside until the situation had calmed down.

On Thursday, soldiers loyal to South Sudan’s President and those loyal to Vice President Riek Machar opened fire on one another in the Gudele neighborhood of Juba.

The fighting broke out after the two factions confronted each other at a roadside checkpoint around 8 p.m.

The fighting then continued later on Saturday. Many civilians say that they remain locked in their homes as it is not safe walking around the capital Juba.

Brig. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, SPLA spokesperson in a press release earlier said that the SPLA Military High Command treats the Juba clashes as an isolated incident that would be investigated by relevant institutions enshrined in the Peace Agreement.

The U.S. State Department on Saturday issued an urgent call for calm in South Sudan urging fighters loyal to President Salva Kiir and those backing his rival, current First Vice President Riek Machar, to disengage and cease fighting.