Gunfight at the Juba Corral

Ok, first off: Nobody got hurt.

Two weekends ago, I was invited to a dinnerparty down by the Nile. An Indian company is moving in to town, and I happen to know a couple of the guys heading it up. They have started building a new accomodation-camp, and wanted to show it off. My friend, who runs programs for a major US NGO, and myself went. We had an excellent time. We laughed, we drank, we made merry. We headed back towards ourown camp at around 2 PM.

As we rolled up on the main gate, I noticed about 8 locals scattering from the gate, and the 2 police guards were out of their guardhut. This is very un-characteristic, as they usually sleep through the night... As the guys had scattered, I assumed the coast was clear, so Friend and I exited the vehicle and went through the gate. As we crossed the compound, one of the staff comes barrelling by, no shirt on, cocking an AK47.
Now, weapons are strictly forbidden in the camp, and this guy had no business with one. Friend and I ducked behind a row of rooms (right by #37), and waited. 1 shot was loosed, and then nothing. I stuck my head around a corner, and made eye-contact with the rifle-wielding staffmember. He looked calm, was holding his weapon safely. We made eye-contact, and I went over to him, feeling that someone needed to makesure everything was right, until the head of the camp showed up. Turns out he was tucked up in bed, listening to the BBC world service, and had heard nothing. As I approached the gate, I realised there was a guy lying on the ground. For a second some really unpleasant scenarios played out in my head, but then I realized he wasn't bleeding. Not shot, just beaten, and keeping his head down. I agreed with Rifleguy that I would go get the boss. As I went to the boss's room, there was one more shot. Hoping Rifleguy had not just executed Guy on the ground. Having woken the Boss, we went up to the gate. Boss instructed Rifleguy to make the weapon safe, and the story was laid out.

Turns out Guy on the ground, and about 14 of his friends, had rolled up and tried to abscond with a couple of vehicles that were parked in front of the camp. In the face of entirely underwhelming response from the guards they had almost made it. Until Rifleguy showed. However, he was not intially Rifleguy, he was simply Guy who doesn't know when the odds are against him. He tried to stop the guys, and promptly had his ass handed to him by some of the punks. Realizing these guys were not easily dissuaded and were in some case carrying knives, he made a rapid decision and took off into the camp. At this point it seems some ofthe punks lost their nerve and took off, leaving just the ones Friend and I saw upon our return. Having escaped into the camp, and with the guards realizing that, while their carreers might be able to survive a couple of vehicles disappearing under their noses, letting 8 punks rampage through the camp that houses several members of the Southern Sudanes cabinet would not bode well for them. This was when Friend and I rolled up. Now, I have no idea whether they heard Rifleguy coming, or it was the arrival of our vehicle, that made them scatter, but scatter they did.

Now, for those of you wondering "so, what about the second rifleshot?" I can tell you this. Guy on the ground, having woken up, tried to make a truly ill-advised escape. The second shot was, if you will, a shot across the bow. It served to remind him exactly what the balance of power was, and led to him staying prone until the police cuffed him to the guardhut. There he stayed until the next morning. Juba Police does not yet have radios, so he had to wait until the morning shift showed.

During this time, he had a good long think, and promptly gave up 4 of his buddies who have been arrested. The remainder are still wanted, but I suspect neither they or any other representatives of Jubas burgeoning underworld will be coming around any time soon.

NOTE:
It strikes me just now, that my stories, varied as they are, may paint an unfortunate picture. Let me underscore the following. The overwhelming majority of the local population welcome the expat community, and are truly thankful for the effort being made by the international contingent. However, in any situation were law and and order are at best sporadic, there will be those who try to take advantage of it.

Do not let these people mar the impression of Southern Sudan as a country in its infancy, filled with potential and the desire to develop and move forward.

Now, with the sermon over, I must away. I have been in Nairobi for the last week, and fly back to Juba in the morning. My suitcase awaits, maw gaping in anticipation of being filled.

Until next time, take care.
JubaJoe.