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December 16, 2013 (JUBA) – South Sudan president, Salva Kiir has accused former vice-president Riek Machar of alleged involvement in Sunday’s attack on a military base in the country’s capital, Juba.

Speaking at a brief press conference, Kiir who was clad in full military attire, said "a group of soldiers allied to the former vice-president Dr Riek Machar and his group” attacked the army headquarters near Juba University.

“These attacks continued until this morning”, the president, flanked by his deputy, James Wani Igga told the press in Juba.

Sporadic gunfire, which started on Sunday evening, rocked Juba and continued this morning, sending residents into panic as soldiers were fully deployed on streets.

The president described Machar as a "prophet of doom continues to persistently pursue his actions of the past", making reference to the 1991 split in which the latter defected from the southern rebel movement during the long civil war with Sudan.

"However, I would like to inform you, at the outset, that your government is in full control of the security situation in Juba", added Kiir, also commander in chief of the country’s army (SPLA).

Unconfirmed reports, however, say residents within Juba and its outskirts were fleeing the capital, but Sudan Tribune could not independently verify these reports.

CURFEW IN JUBA

Meanwhile, the South Sudanese leader has announced a dust-to-dawn curfew in Juba, saying justice would prevail on those behind the attack.

"The curfew will start from 6pm to 6am local time in Juba", Kiir told reporters.

HUNDREDS CAMP AT UNMISS

Hundreds of civilians, the United Nations said, have sought refuge in their compound adjacent to the country’s airport as well as their base inJebel Kujur area.

“While UNMISS is not a humanitarian operator, and our mandate is to protect civilians, basic water supplies and medical treatment are being provided. We hope the security situation in Juba will quickly normalize to enable the civilians to return very soon to their residential areas,” it said in a statement.

The UN also called on all parties to show continued calm and restraint and dismissed reports that it was harbouring key political or military figures linked to the incident.

US ADVISES CITIZENS

Meanwhile, the United States embassy in Juba advised its citizens in the country to exercise extra caution at all times.

"The U.S. Embassy will continue to closely monitor the security environment in South Sudan, with particular attention to Juba city and its immediate surroundings, and will advise U.S. citizens further if the security situation changes", it said in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune.
(ST)