South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit today blamed fighting in Juba on forces loyal to the former Vice President Riek Machar and labeled him a ‘prophet of doom.’
At a press conference this afternoon he narrated that an unidentified gunman near Nyakuron Cultural Centre yesterday at the National Liberation Council meeting at around 6:30 p.m. released gunshots in the air and escaped.
“This was followed later by an attack at the SPLA General Headquarters near Juba University by a group of soldiers allied to the former Vice President Dr. Riek Macahr Teny and his group. These attacks continued until this morning,” said Kiir.
Kiir was referring to the former headquarters area near Jebel Kujur, not the army’s national headquarters situated in Bilpam, to the north of town.
For his part, however, Riek’s spokesman James Gatdet Dak denied that the politician had anything to do with the fighting. He also dismissed rumors that the ex-vice president had been arrested or had sought asylum at the US Embassy.
Kiir says that the government is “in full control” of the situation in Juba, adding that the Armed Forces were pursuing the group allegedly loyal to the former vice president.
Other sources in Juba suggest that some of the combatants are members of the Tiger Battalion, presidential guard, including at least one senior officer, a brigade commander.
As of about 14:30, this group continue to control at least part of the SPLA GQ premises, but some may have been pushed out into neighboring areas including reportedly Khor William.
Many civilians have fled from neighborhoods around the SPLA HQ and military hospital including Mia Saba, Jabarona and Souq Sitta.
‘Prophet of doom’
“My fellow citizens, let me reiterate my statement during the opening of the NLC meeting a few days ago in which I said that my government is not and will not allow the incidents of 1991 to repeat themselves again,” said Kiir.
He was referring to the so-called ‘Bor Massacre’ of that year, in which the SPLA-Nasir faction led by Machar was implicated.
“This prophet of doom continues to persistently pursue his actions of the past and I have to tell you that I will not allow or tolerate such incidences once again in our new nation,” he added.
“I strongly condemn these criminal actions in the strongest terms possible,” said Kiir.
“In response to the criminal acts of yesterday committed by this disgruntled group and for the sake of the security and safety of our citizens I declare curfew in Juba as to be observed from 6PM to 6AM with immediate effect from today, December 16th 2013 until further notice,” said Kiir.
“Security organs are hereby directed to allow the residents of Juba to go on about their normal work and move freely during the day light.”