Heavy gunfire shook the Thongpiny neighborhood in Juba, South Sudan, on Thursday night as soldiers clashed at the residence of former spy chief Gen. Akol Koor, currently under house arrest.
The shooting, which lasted approximately an hour, left two people injured, according to army spokesperson Lul Ruai Koang.
A Tense Standoff in Thongpiny
Eyewitnesses in Juba reported an intense exchange of fire between security guards stationed at Gen. Koor’s home and the army. Residents in the upscale Thongpiny neighborhood, situated near the military headquarters and Juba’s main airport, described a chaotic scene as shops abruptly closed and people sought cover from the gunfire. 
Army spokesperson Koang clarified that the incident stemmed from a misunderstanding between the military and security personnel guarding Koor’s residence. More details about the situation are expected to emerge.
The Background: Gen. Koor’s House Arrest
Gen. Akol Koor, South Sudan’s intelligence chief since the country gained independence in 2011, has been under house arrest since October. His dismissal from the intelligence service, followed by his appointment and subsequent removal as a state governor before assuming office, has sparked widespread speculation.
The government, however, has remained silent about the reasons for his dismissal and ongoing house arrest. Meanwhile, residents continue to question the political undercurrents surrounding this high-profile case, fueling speculation and debate within the community.
Fragile Peace Amid Political Tensions
The gunfire incident underscores the fragile state of South Sudan’s political landscape, despite the 2018 peace agreement that officially ended a five-year civil war. That conflict claimed over 400,000 lives and displaced millions.
Although President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar have made strides in implementing the peace accord, progress has been slow, prompting widespread criticism. Authorities postponed the elections, initially planned for December, by two years to allow time for voter registration and full implementation of peace-related reforms.
A Nation on Edge
The South Sudan gunfire at the former spy chief’s residence reflects broader challenges in a country still grappling with political instability. As the government faces mounting pressure to ensure peace and security, the nation anxiously watches how it navigates these turbulent waters.
What does this mean for South Sudan’s journey toward lasting peace?
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