4, including civilians, killed in attempt to arrest South Sudanese former chief

By Benjamin Takpiny

JUBA, South Sudan (AA) - At least four people, including two civilians, were killed in a shooting at the residence of the former spy chief Gen. Akol Koor Kuc in South Sudan’s capital of Juba, officials said Friday.

Army spokesman Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang confirmed to reporters that a student from the University of Juba was killed and the shooting was a misunderstanding between forces deployed at Kuc’s residence and those who arrived to arrest and take him to his other house in Jebel.

“There was misunderstanding between the force that was inside the Akol Koor compound for its close protection and the one that was deployed outside of the fence. There was misunderstanding and as a result the two forces exchanged fires,” Koang said about the shooting late Thursday.

Kuc is going to be provided additional protection by the army in Jebel, with all of his movement restricted to keep at bay those who may want to seize opportunities to harm the former spy because of the position he once held, said Koang.

Koang urged residents to remain calm, assuring there would be no more shooting.

President Salva Kiir dismissed Kuc in October and the spy chief has reportedly been under house arrest.

Kiir appointed Kuc as governor of the former spy’s home state in Warrup, where insecurity is rife but he was sacked before taking office. No reason was given for Kuc’s dismissial.

Kuc served as intelligence boss since the country gained independence from Sudan in 2011.

The world’s youngest nation has experienced years of conflict leading to displacement of people, derailing development and contributing to food insecurity.

UN agencies warned last week that more than half of South Sudan’s population will be acutely food insecure through next year’s lean season starting April.