Machar officials confirm deployment of security forces around residence

JUBA – South Sudan officials close to First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny have just confirmed that the residence of the South Sudan’s second powerful man has been put under “intense and heavy” security presence with citizens being turned away from all roads adjacent to the residence.

Earlier tonight, several eyewitnesses said a joint security force comprising elements from South Sudan’s National Security Service (NSS) and South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) has been deployed and were turning citizens away from the direction of ‘Home and Away’ Hotel and from the other side of J2.

Speaking to Sudans Post moments ago, one official allied to Machar said the deployment of forces around the First Vice President’s residence begun with a small force following escalation of attacks on SPLA-IO cantonment sites in Unity and Upper Nile state, but turned out to be a heavy deployment of troops beginning Sunday evening.

“Since three days ago, when our partners in peace from South Sudan People’s Defense Force attacked out cantonment sites in Unity and Upper Nile state, the national security began deploying force. It was a small group of soldiers, I can say so,” the official who requested not to be named, said.

“But this evening (Sunday night), soldiers from South Sudan People’s Defense Forces joined in making it heavy and even citizens were turned away from passing through the road that comes from J2 and from the Home and Away Hotel and we don’t know  the intentions. It is a intense and heavy deployment,” the official added.

Another official separately confirmed the heavy deployment of troops, but dismissed social media reports that the First Vice President has replaced his bodyguard with Nuer elements, saying those deployed as guards are from the National Security Service “and cannot be done unilaterally at the FVP’s end.”