By Watchdog reporter
Sworn rivals South Sudan president Salva Kiir and first vice president Riek Machar remained together and spoke again violence as gunfire rocked outside the presidential palace in the capital Juba on Friday evening.
There was concern over lives of Kiir and Machar as heavy gunfire including artillery fire was heard from around the presidential compound from about 5:30 pm.
Tanks too were seen moving around the presidential palace compound as heavy fire was exchanged at Juba Bridge around Gumbo area plus a couple of other places such as Amarat, Tongpiny and Jebel.
The fighting spread toward Cherikat area causing residents to flee.
Three military helicopters flew over Juba as the loyal government forces fought to contain the situation.
President Kiir, was reportedly meeting his deputies discussing the shooting of five soldiers on Thursday night.
Five soldiers were reportedly killed in a skirmish in Gudele between SPLA and SPLA-IO forces.
“What is happening outside is something that we cannot explain to you,” said Kiir Friday evening at conference attended by Machar
Machar regretted the incident, and appealed for calm.
“This is a very unfortunate incident which none of us really knows what has happened, all we want to tell our public now is that they should remain calm, they should remain calm, this incident also will be controlled, and measures will be taken so that peace is restored even to the heart of the city itself,” Machar said.
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