South Sudan’s first vice president Riek Machar left several hours ago from the presidential compound in Juba to his residence in Gudele under SPLA and SPLA-IO escort and arrived safely.
Machar had been in the compound known as J1 or State House for a meeting with president Salva Kiir and vice president Wani Igga to discuss the killing of five soldiers in a skirmish between SPLA and SPLA-IO forces on Thursday.
As they met, heavy clashes and gunfire erupted outside, spreading across the capital city.
Kiir and Igga also reportedly reached their respective homes safely as well.