South Sudan’s capital rocked by multiple shootings amidst growing insecurity

JUBA – South Sudan’s capital Juba was thrown into turmoil on Saturday as multiple shooting incidents unfolded, leaving at least six people wounded and one dead. The shooting has raised serious concerns about the deteriorating security situation in the country.

The first incident occurred during the early evening hours at the Seventh Day Roundabout where unidentified gunmen opened fire on pedestrians, killing one and injuring another. The assailants fled the scene after firing additional shots into the air.

“About one hour ago, unidentified armed men opened fire on pedestrians waiting for public transport at Seven Day Round killing one on spot and wounded another,” South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) spokesman Lul Ruai Koang said in a statement on Saturday.

“The gunmen then sped off via ABMC-Customs Road where they fired into the air one more shot. Security forces are still tracking them down,” he added.

Hours later, a South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) officer opened fire on patrons in a restaurant in Juba’s Hai Cinema residential area, injuring five people.

The officer, identified as 1^st Lt. Marial from the Customs Division, reportedly became enraged after a dispute over an unpaid bill escalated.

“Upon eating, Marial refused to pay his bills resulting in a minor quarrel with the restaurant owner. In an unexpected turn of events, Marial left, returned with a loaded gun and immediately opened fire on dinners which resulted in five people sustaining gunshot wounds,” Koang said.

The rogue officer was subsequently arrested and is being held for questioning.

These incidents come amid a broader pattern of escalating shootings in Juba. In July, the city experienced several episodes of heavy gunfire, which the SSPDF initially attributed to isolated security incidents.

However, the recurrence of such violence suggests a more systemic problem.

The growing insecurity in Juba is compounded by the country’s dire economic situation, which has exacerbated social tensions and created opportunities for criminal activities.

Experts warn that unless the government takes decisive action to address the root causes of the shooting, the situation could deteriorate further, potentially leading to widespread instability.