JUBA, South Sudan — On Thursday evening, a significant outbreak of gunfire was reported in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, specifically at the residence of the former head of the nation’s intelligence service, who has been under house arrest for the last two months, according to local residents.

Witnesses described intense exchanges of gunfire between soldiers and the security personnel assigned to General Akol Koor’s home in the upscale Thongpiny neighborhood, with skirmishes lasting for approximately one hour.

Army spokesperson Lul Ruai Koang confirmed that two individuals sustained injuries during the altercation. He characterized the events as a “misunderstanding” between the army and the security forces stationed at Koor’s home, promising more information would follow on Friday.

Since being dismissed from his intelligence role in October, General Koor has been under tight surveillance at his residence. Prior to his dismissal, he briefly held a gubernatorial position but was removed before officially taking office. He had led the country’s intelligence apparatus since South Sudan separated from Sudan in 2011.

The government has remained silent regarding Koor’s house arrest and the rationale behind his firing. Ter Manyang Gatwech, a local resident who witnessed the dangerous incident, recounted how vendors hurriedly closed their shops and sought shelter when the shooting erupted.

The Thongpiny area, where the clashes occurred, is notably close to major military facilities and the main airport of the country.

Despite a peace agreement introduced in 2018 intended to conclude the five-year civil conflict that resulted in over 400,000 fatalities, South Sudan continues to face instability.

Critics argue that progress on the peace deal, which is under the oversight of President Salva Kiir and his former adversary and current deputy Riek Machar, has been slow.

Elections that were originally planned for December have since been postponed for two years. This delay is intended to ensure that essential elements of the peace accord are fully realized, alongside allowing the electoral body adequate time for voter registration processes.