JUBA – At least two soldiers belonging to South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) have died after fighting erupted among SSPD soldiers in a military barrack in Mundri East County of Western Equatoria state following an argument.
A military source quoted by The City Review said the clash occurred after an army officer in Lanyi, Mundri East County, opened fire on his colleagues after a few minutes of argument, resulting in the deaths of two soldiers and the wounding of another.
“Two colleagues started some argument at the barracks, something that some of us never thought would result in shooting at each other, but lastly turned [into] something else, where a colleague opened fire on the other colleague. Shot him dead,” the unidentified source said.
“After killing his colleague, he also attempted to kill another one, but I think God helped him, although he was only injured.” He would have killed many [people], but someone who is from the same barracks shot him dead,” the unidentified source said.
A resident of Lanyi was quoted by The Review as confirming the incident, adding that the shooting made most residents run to the bush for safety.
“I am in the bush now. There were gunshots at the barracks, which is not far from our home. We don’t know exactly what happened, but according to the report we have got, one of the soldiers killed another soldier, and now he is also killed,” Ms. Bringi confirmed.
For his part, Mundri East County Commissioner Margaret Fozia also confirmed the incident saying “The person who opened fire on his colleagues in the Lanyi army barracks has been shot dead after he killed his colleague.”
The commissioner did not reveal the reasons why the soldiers were killing each other, as the details remained scanty.
Last week, a similar incident happened in Lui army barracks, where two soldiers and a married couple were shot dead.
The soldier opened fire on his colleagues at Lui barracks in Mundri County, killing a married couple and wounding four others before being shot dead himself.
“What happened was a soldier called Ali Abui shot two soldiers, two women, and a 7-year-old boy. Three died, including him,” Fozia confirmed.
