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           Five Killed in Fresh Fighting at South Sudan Army Barracks

   by Charlton Doki

   Five soldiers were killed and scores more injured when clashes broke
   out Wednesday at a military barracks on the outskirts of the South
   Sudan capital Juba, officials said Wednesday.
   Military and civilian officials said fighting broke out Wednesday
   morning at the Giada barracks, the headquarters of the South Sudan
   army's ground forces and the same barracks where clashes in December
   sparked the still simmering conflict between forces loyal to President
   Salva Kiir and his former deputy, Riek Machar.
   Malak Ayuen Ajok, the army's information and public relations director,
   said the fighting was triggered by a misunderstanding between soldiers
   over their pay.
   "What happened was soldiers came to inquire when they are going to
   receive their salaries. They were told that... there is a system set up
   for every unit to receive their salaries, and  I think during the
   discussion there was a misunderstanding between the soldiers themselves
   and this led to a limited shooting among the soldiers," Ayuen said.
   He said five soldiers were killed and "two to three others were
   injured."
   "The situation now is calm" after other soldiers intervened and stopped
   the fighting, Ayuen said.

Residents flee as gunfire erupts

   The fighting sent many residents in the area immediately around the
   barracks fleeing and caused panic in Juba, Ayuen and government
   spokesman Michael Makuei Lueth said.
   Hours after the fighting erupted, as black smoke continued to rise from
   the direction of the army barracks, Ayuen urged residents to "go back
   to your businesses, go back to your homes and go back to your normal
   duties," insisting that, "There is no problem. The thing was within the
   barracks and it has been contained there."
   An unspecified number of soldiers have been arrested in connection with
   the fighting, but others were still at large, Ayuen said. Soldiers
   involved in the fighting could face a court martial, he said.
   Makuei insisted that the shooting was not connected to the ongoing
   conflict between pro- and anti-government forces that was triggered by
   clashes on Dec.15 at the same barracks.
   He said the fighting on Wednesday was "a normal thing that happens in
   any military area" and had "nothing to do with the rebellion and it
   nothing to do with the military coup."
   Kiir has said that the clashes at the barracks in December were part of
   an abortive coup attempt led by Machar. The former vice president has
   denied the accusations.
   The fighting in December spread rapidly from Juba to the rest of the
   country, and is still ongoing in Jonglei state and the oil-producing
   states of Unity and Upper Nile, in spite of a cessation of hostilities
   agreement that was signed six weeks ago.
   Thousands are believed to have been killed in the fighting in South
   Sudan, and around 900,000 fled their homes, seeking safety in
   neighboring countries, on United Nations bases in South Sudan, or in
   the bush.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/south-sudan-spla-army-unrest/1864709.
   html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/south-sudan-spla-army-unrest/1864709.html