Kiir deploys 150 soldiers on red alert to Akol’s Jebel home, confiscates phones

JUBA – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit has ordered the deployment of 150 soldiers to the Jebel residence of former spy chief General Akol Koor Kuc and the confiscation of his mobile phones, according to a senior intelligence officer who spoke to Sudans Post on Saturday night.

The move follows Thursday night’s violent confrontation at Akol’s Thongpiny residence, which resulted in the death of four people including a schoolgirl and a lawyer. The incident has fueled concerns of potential violence in Juba, which has previously experienced deadly clashes in December 2013 and July 2016.

A military source revealed that Akol was relocated to Jebel on Friday, following orders delivered from President Kiir to Akol in person by General Santino Deng Wol, Chief of Defense Forces of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF).

The relocation order was preceded by a security meeting at J1, the presidential palace.

The source said that Wol assured Akol he would be guarded by his personal 11-member bodyguard unit. However, upon his arrival in Jebel, Akol was asked to surrender his phones in compliance with President Kiir’s directives, with assurances that they would remain secure under Kiir’s custody.

“The chief of military staff of the SSPDF, Gen Santino Deng Wol [on Friday] visited Gen. Akol in his Thongpiny residence after the fighting. He brought with him a letter signed by President Salva Kiir Mayardit, ordering Gen. Akol to vacate his Thongpiny house, citing the disturbance the Thursday shooting has caused to the members of international community who are in the neighborhood,” the source said.

“The chief of army staff assured Gen. Akol that he would be guarded by his own 11 personal bodyguards. Gen. Akol obeyed these orders and was taken to his Jebel residence. Upon reaching there, CDF ordered Gen Akol to surrender his phones to him, again promising that he will keep them safe, and nobody will take them, or tamper with them,” the officer added.

The officer disclosed that after Wol’s departure, 150 soldiers were deployed to Akol’s Jebel residence under strict instructions from President Kiir. The troops included 100 personnel from the elite Tiger Division and 50 from Military Intelligence.

“A few hours after the CDF’s departure, 150 soldiers—100 from the elite Tiger battalion and 50 from Military Intelligence—arrived at Gen Akol’s residence, establishing camps and assuming a red-level alert posture,” he said.

A red alert status, typically the highest state of military readiness, requires heightened vigilance, rapid response capabilities, and fortified security measures, including movement restrictions around the guarded premises.

The officer alleged that the forces deployed were directly being commanded by President Kiir and other figures tied to him directly, including Military Intelligence Chief General Marshal and others tasked with managing perceived threats posed by Akol.

“The current detention of Gen Akol Koor, the former chief spy in Jebel House is directed by President Salva Kiir Mayardit himself, effected by Gen Santino Deng Wol, his army chief of staff,” the intelligence officer said, adding that press conference by army spokesman Lul Ruai following Akol’s relocation on Friday “is a smokescreen intended to calm the South Sudanese public mood and to mislead the region and international community who are concerned about South Sudan’s peace.”

“South Sudanese people and the world must know that Gen Akol is still in detention, with more drastic measures being taken against him. Taking away his phones, for instance, shows that he has been isolated from family and friends. This means that nobody can reach him and ascertain the facts or worse could happen to him and there is no way he can communicate the danger to his family and friends,” he added.

The officer said Akol’s family has been barred from visiting him at his Jebel residence, with his driver and one bodyguard restricted from staying within the compound.

“The relatives and family of Gen Akol Koor Kuc have been barred from visiting him in his Jebel house by the besieging forces. Gen. Akol Koor Kuc is only allowed one driver and one bodyguard who are both not allowed to stay with him in the same compound. This level of isolation means Gen Akol’s life and that of his family remains in eminent danger,” he added.

The officer called on authorities to allow independent media access to verify claims about Akol’s condition.

“To prove the claims made by the army spokesperson that Gen Akol Koor is a free citizen of South Sudan, the government or the army should allow the media to visit the Jebel residence of Gen Akol Koor to verify these claims written herein or as claimed by the army spokesperson during his press briefing,” he added.