Zimbabweans have been caught up in renewed gunfights that have broken out across South Sudan’s capital between forces loyal to the president and those of the vice-president, which have caused widespread casualties and raising fears that the country is returning to civil war.
There are scores of Zimbabweans who work in South Sudan, with one senior journalist (name withheld) posting on Facebook from Juba earlier, “Can’t believe a few hours ago I was photographing a bird on my window, now I can’t even go near that window and am working from the floor as shooting gets heavier and more intense. Praying for peace in South Sudan.”
Which provoked an out pour of prayer and emotions for her.

Fighting broke out on Thursday and Friday between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and soldiers who support the vice-president, Riek Machar.
The violence has raised fears South Sudan could face further instability after emerging from a two-year civil war, which began in December 2013 after Kiir sacked Machar as vice-president.
On Saturday, Juba was calm, but on Sunday a Reuters witness said gunfire was heard in the Gudele and Jebel suburbs, near the military barracks hosting troops loyal to Machar.
“For about 30 to 40 minutes we heard sounds of heavy artillery in the direction of Jebel area,” an aide worker based in Juba who did not want to be named told Reuters.
South Sudan’s civil war was fought largely along ethnic lines with Kiir, a Dinka, and Machar, a Nuer, drawing support from their respective tribes. A peace agreement last August ended the war but Kiir and Machar have yet to integrate their forces, a key part of the peace deal. The Guardian