Africa-Press – South-Sudan. Panic briefly gripped parts of Juba on Friday after gunshots were heard near the Customs Freedom Hall, where court proceedings involving suspended First Vice President Riek Machar and seven co-accused were underway.
Witnesses reported scenes of confusion as people in surrounding areas fled for safety when the gunfire rang out at the Customs roundabout, close to the venue hosting the high-profile trial.
The circumstances under which the shots were fired remain unclear, and authorities have yet to provide a detailed account of the incident.
In a statement issued shortly after the incident, Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, spokesperson of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), called for calm as investigations continue.
“The SSPDF command urges members of the public to remain calm as the concerned authorities ascertain the circumstances under which gunshots rang out in Customs roundabouts,” the statement said.
The army also cautioned civil society actors against making statements on behalf of the military, emphasising the need for restraint in public communication during the unfolding situation.
“On the same note, the army urges individuals from civil society organisations to desist from speaking on behalf of the national army,” the statement added.
The warning comes after Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director for Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), told local media the gunshots were a result of a misunderstanding between soldiers and did not have a connection with an alleged assassination attempt.
The reported gunfire occurred as court proceedings involving Machar—a key figure in South Sudan’s fragile peace process—were ongoing, raising concerns about security around sensitive legal and political events in the capital.
No casualties have been officially confirmed, and it remains unclear whether the gunshots were directly linked to the trial or stemmed from a separate incident nearby.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing, with more information expected as security agencies establish the facts.
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