Explosion at Ammunition Store in Juba Causes Panic and Injuries
By Majur Chol Khor
A mysterious explosion at an ammunition store in Juba has caused panic and resulted in several injuries.
According to a press release dated 25th February 2024, the National Salvation Front/Army claimed to have carried out an operation on the “SSPDF” Armored Ammunitions Store at the old General Headquarters (El-Giada) in Juba. The NAS Force reportedly withdrew safely after accomplishing their mission, leaving the enemy in panic and disarray.
However, Gen. Loku Thomas Jada, a member of NAS RCC Central committee, denied the claim, stating that the story was not true and suggested it was created in the Diaspora to maintain the existence of Thomas Cirillo after his dismissal.
In a separate statement, signed by Suba Samuel Manase, who also claimed to be the spokesperson of the National Salvation Front, He made an allegations against a group of disgraced former members of NAS who have been dismissed and are now allegedly in the service of the enemies of the people of South Sudan.
The SSPDF spokesperson, Major General Lul Ruai Koang, reassured the public that efforts were being made to ensure the safety of the community following the explosion.
He explained that eight individuals sustained injuries during the incident, including six SSPDF soldiers, a six-month-old baby, and an expectant mother who suffered a miscarriage.
According to Maj. Gen. Koang, the cause of the explosion is believed to be related to the hot weather, which may have ignited the fire. He mentioned the extensive damage to military equipment and shells, attributing the incident to the extreme heat.
This incident has raised concerns about the safety of ammunition stores in civilian areas, particularly following a similar incident in June last year when a fire at the SSPDF Division Four headquarters in Unity state caused dangerous ordnance to rip into homes and barracks, resulting in injuries to both civilians and military personnel.
As the public seeks answers and reassurance, there is a growing call for the government to consider relocating military installations away from civilian areas to ensure the safety and security of the community.
In a declaration statement released on Monday, 5th February 2024. The officers, NCOs, and men of the Revolutionary National Salvation Front (NAS) announced the dismissal of Gen. Thomas Cirilo Swaka as the leader of the movement.
The reasons for Gen. Swaka’s dismissal were outlined in the declaration statement. At the political level, the NAS Revolutionary Command Council accused Gen. Swaka of turning the movement into a company of his close friends and blocking members of other ethnicities from joining. They also criticized his leadership style, which they described as dysfunctional and ineffective.
Author: Majur Chol Khor
Majur is a multi-media award-winning journalist, public relations specialist, documentary expert from South Sudan. You can easily connect with him through various platforms such as WhatsApp at +254 796 523 948, email at majurcholkhor@gmail.com, and social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
