Monday:
This is an urgent request. Juba is currently in lockdown with sporadic heavy gunfire around. It started at 10 p.m. yesterday evening and continued through the night. This morning it was particularly heavy between 6.30 and 8.30 a.m. and then it tailed off a bit. As I write this it is mostly calm, but with an occasional volley of heavy gunfire, some of it sounding very near. (later, at 5 pm.: there has just been a prolonged volley of gunfire which sounds as though it is at the airport. We pray on)
At 7 a.m. as we emerged from our rooms here at the Church Guest house we looked at each other to see if anyone knew what was happening , but no-one did so it is still all speculation. But it seems that the political talks yesterday between the government and its major opponents did not end well, and some of the rumours are that a group belonging to former vice president Riak Machar, now in opposition, were responsible for starting it.
Meanwhile we are told to stay indoors until further notice. All shops are closed, as is the airport. The president has just made a speech on the radio and TV (the Guest House turned on the generator at lunchtime so we could see it). Appearing in full military uniform – which is seem to be a statement in itself – he said they are investigating it and deal with it. He said very firmly that this government will only pass on its power if it is done through a proper democratic means. He has declared a 6 p.m. – 6 a.m. curfew.
We have closed the Guest house gates for security and we are relatively safe here (this sort of incident brings people together in a special way so new friendships are being formed!)
Internal phone networks were not functioning until lunch-time so communication was difficult. One of the concerns is supplies; I am not sure when I will be able to send this as the internet only works when the generator is on and I am not sure if there is fuel to run the generator (if you get this you will know they switched it on which will be a good sign. The internet is so slow that I could not work it fast enough to get this to you when the generator was on briefly at lunchtime).
But the guest house is full because a workshop was meant to begin here today (the workshop itself has been abandoned but the participants are all here). Even when the guest house is not full a whole tanker of water has to be delivered every day to keep it functioning. Since no-one is moving on the streets of Juba I don't think we will get any water today, which is a concern.
The kitchen ladies were too terrified to get out of bed first thing this morning so breakfast was very late; but amazingly they managed to produce some lunch.
The streets are very quiet; the only people moving are the security forces and those going to the hospital - lots of people were badly injured or even killed in the shooting. There are also rumours of a number of “revenge killings” – people using the general situation as a chance to settle personal scores.
It is hard to know how this will resolve, so we would really appreciate prayer for:
1. Political stability; for wisdom and the right kind of authority for the top leaders and the security forces to guide this through with the minimum of violence to a true, right and lasting settlement.
2. For the many people who have been injured and the families of those who have been killed in the cross-fire and in the revenge killings.
3. For the role of the Church leaders – who were involved in facilitating yesterday’s talks – as they have a very powerful influence and can help to bring calm and sense to the situation.
4. For the way forward to be led in effective dialogue rather than violent physical conflict.
5. For shops to be able to open tomorrow so the people can get supplies and water can be distributed.
6. That it won't spread to other towns and it won't escalate into a tribal war.
With many thanks,
In prayer and faith,
