Fresh fighting broke out between government troops in South Sudan and rebels on Saturday.
Government troops and rebels launched attacks on each other despite their leaders agreeing to a peace deal last month.
A rebel spokesman, Lam Paul Gabriel told Reuters that “This is a provocative aggression aimed at derailing the peace process”.
The government troops’ attack occurred in the northwestern village of Mboro near the border with Sudan.
The rebels also launched coordinated attacks on government army positions in four states, according to a government spokesperson.
Lul Ruai Koang is quoted by Reuters as saying that “The rebels wanted to gain more territory before a permanent ceasefire.”
Last month South Sudan’s political rival leaders signed a deal towards ending the current civil war in the country.
President Salva Kiir and rebel leader, Riek Machar signed the peace agreement in Sudan’s capital Khartoum.
Details of the agreement.
The agreement involves a ceasefire to start in 72 hours (Sunday, July 1, 2018) although some aspects of the deal were rejected by the rebels.
Sudanese Foreign Minister Al-Dirdiri Mohamed Ahmed was quoted by Reuters as saying that “The parties will continue talks in Khartoum to discuss the arrangements for implementing the ceasefire.
He said once the cease fire is achieved “the issue of power-sharing will be discussed.”
Sudan peace talk
President Kiir and Riek Machar, his former vice president held two days of meeting in Sudan.
Machar told reporters that “This agreement signed today and the ceasefire will end the war in South Sudan and opens a (new) page.”
Machar after the signing ceremony hailed what he says should build trust between Sudan and South Sudan.
Meanwhile President Kiir also said he would “commit respectfully” to the deal.
Thousands of people have died in the 2013 civil war after troops loyal to the rebel Machar clashed with government troops.
South Sudan gained independence in 2011 from north Sudan but fighting broke out two years later.
Source: Africafeeds.com
