Gunfire erupted late Monday in Yambio, the capital of Western Equatoria State, near the state headquarters, residents reported.
The violence follows President Salva Kiir’s decision to dismiss the governor of Western Equatoria State, Gen. Alfred Futuyo Karaba. This evening, President Kiir issued a series of decrees removing several senior government officials appointed under the terms of the 2018 peace agreement.
Gen. Futuyo, a senior commander of the SPLA-IO forces in Western Bahr el Ghazal, was appointed in June 2020 as part of a power-sharing arrangement between President Kiir and opposition leader, First Vice President Riek Machar.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, several residents of Hai Naduru, near the State Secretariat, confirmed gunfire in some parts of Yambio town. “There are heavy gunshots near the State House, and the situation is very tense,” one resident said.
Another resident from the Pozuo area reported hearing gunfire near the residence of the former governor, Alfred Futuyo Karaba. “A large number of soldiers are patrolling the streets, and movement within Yambio is restricted,” another local added.
Meanwhile, in Source Yubu, Tambura County, some community members were seen celebrating Futuyo’s removal, holding gatherings and expressing joy over the presidential decree removing the state governor.
Authorities have not yet issued an official statement regarding the situation in Yambio. However, tensions remain high as residents remain indoors, awaiting further developments.
The opposition SPLA-IO has issued a statement in response to President Kiir’s decision to remove officials representing the SPLM-IO.
Pouk Both Baluang, the acting press secretary in the office of First Vice President Riek Machar, called the decrees a unilateral move.
“The SPLM-IO leadership did not make the decision to remove these individuals,” Baluang said. “Therefore, we view this as another serious violation of the Revitalized Agreement by the SPLM-IG [Kiir’s party].”
He further emphasized that should the SPLM-IO leadership choose to replace any of its members in government positions under the Revitalized Agreement (R-ARCSS), the party would formally nominate a replacement and notify the president accordingly.
South Sudan, rich in oil, became the world’s newest country 13 years ago after gaining independence from Sudan. However, it was soon plunged into civil war when President Kiir and his deputy, Riek Machar, fell out.
After five years of conflict, the two leaders signed a power-sharing agreement, though its implementation has faced numerous challenges.