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South Sudan 'quashes coup attempt' | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
South Sudan's President Salva Kiir says an attempted coup by disgruntled soldiers has been put down. | |
It comes after heavy gunfire overnight in the capital, Juba, reportedly between rival factions of the presidential guard. | |
Mr Kiir told reporters in the capital that the government was in full control and announced a night time curfew. | |
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. | |
'Justice will prevail' | |
Tensions have been high in South Sudan - the world's youngest country - since President Kiir dismissed his entire cabinet, including his deputy Riek Machar, in July in an apparent power struggle. | |
Mr Machar had indicated he planned to contest the presidential elections in 2015. | Mr Machar had indicated he planned to contest the presidential elections in 2015. |
Mr Kiir is from the Dinka community, which is the largest in South Sudan, while Mr Machar is from the Nuer, the second-largest. Some Nuer have complained about Dinka political domination. | Mr Kiir is from the Dinka community, which is the largest in South Sudan, while Mr Machar is from the Nuer, the second-largest. Some Nuer have complained about Dinka political domination. |
The fighting in Juba broke out overnight, and intensified in the early morning. | |
There were reports of continuous gunfire and the sound of explosions. The city's airport has been closed and the state TV channel SSTV went off air. | |
Speaking to reporters in Juba - wearing military uniform rather than his usual civilian clothing - Mr Kiir said an attempted coup had been put down. | |
He said the fighting began when unidentified uniformed personnel opened fire at a meeting of the ruling party and former rebel group, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM). | |
He said the government was pursuing the attackers and that justice would prevail. | |
The SPLM would never allow power to be transferred by force in South Sudan, he said. | |
Civilians 'flee to UN' | |
The UN-backed Radio Miraya said four children had been wounded, two critically. | |
Some 400 people, mainly women and children, had taken shelter at the UN compound in Juba, it reported. | |
The situation had reportedly calmed by mid-morning, but heavily armed troops were seen on the capital's streets. | The situation had reportedly calmed by mid-morning, but heavily armed troops were seen on the capital's streets. |
One resident who lives near the presidential guard barracks told the BBC that many people had sought refuge at a Catholic church. | One resident who lives near the presidential guard barracks told the BBC that many people had sought refuge at a Catholic church. |
The UK and US embassies in Juba urged their citizens via Twitter to stay indoors and exercise caution. | The UK and US embassies in Juba urged their citizens via Twitter to stay indoors and exercise caution. |
The US embassy also denied rumours that Mr Machar had taken shelter there. | The US embassy also denied rumours that Mr Machar had taken shelter there. |
In a statement, the US said embassy staff had spoken to a range of officials and concerned parties "in order to urge calm, restraint, and a settling of differences through a peaceful political means rather than through violence". | |
South Sudan formally split from Sudan in 2011, after decades of conflict. But the oil-rich country is ethnically and politically divided, with many armed groups active. |