South Sudan ‘Quashes Coup Attempt’

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir says an attempted coup by soldiers loyal to his sacked former deputy Riek Machar has been put down.

It comes after heavy gunfire overnight in the capital, Juba.

At a news conference, Mr Kiir said the government was in full control of the capital, and announced a night-time curfew for civilians.

Several people are reported wounded and hundreds of people have sought refuge at the UN mission in Juba.

The UN has expressed concern and appealed for calm. It said it was in touch with the government.

Hilde Johnson, the special representative in the country, said she was “deeply concerned” and urged “all parties in the fighting to cease hostilities immediately and exercise restraint”.

“I have been in touch regularly with the key leaders, including at the highest levels to call for calm,” she said.

Mr Riek has not commented and his whereabouts are unclear. But his spokesman said he was safe and denied reports he had been arrested.

BBC

Posted by Editor on December 17, 2013. Filed under AFRICA. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry