Sustained gunfire was reported in several neighbourhoods of Yambio, the capital of Western Equatoria State, on Saturday evening, heightening fears among residents.
The sounds of shooting began at around 7:30 pm in areas including Masia, Napere and Ikpiro. The cause and those responsible remain unknown.
The incident occurs against a backdrop of rising insecurity in the state. Tensions have been high since February, when President Salva Kiir dismissed the SPLM-IO-appointed governor, General Alfred Futuyo Karaba.
Radio Tamazuj spoke to several residents of Yambio who described a climate of fear. One anonymous resident said, “We heard continuous gunshots from Masia, Napere, Ikpiro, and other locations around 7:30 pm. No clear information has come out yet.”
Another resident said that “people are scared, and most families have remained indoors as we wait for verified information.”
A motorcyclist told Radio Tamazuj that heavily armed security forces were seen moving through the town shortly after the gunfire started, heading toward the Masia area.
There has been no official statement from the local authorities. Efforts to reach officials for comment were unsuccessful.
Preliminary, unverified reports from community sources suggest a patrolling convoy on Masia Road may have been attacked by unidentified gunmen, resulting in injuries.
Unofficial reports also indicated gunfire in Tambura County this evening, though details were scarce.