A confidential UN report is warning that the war in South Sudan has reached &quot;catastrophic proportions for civilians&quot; and the rise of militias risks spinning out of control, fueling fighting for years to come.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in the report obtained by AFP on Tuesday that civilians were fleeing villages and towns &quot;in record numbers&quot; and that the danger of mass atrocities &quot;is real&quot;.

The stark warning followed a series of meetings that Guterres held with regional leaders and South Sudan&#39;s President Salva Kiir last month to push for an end to the three-year war.&nbsp;

&quot;The security situation continues to deteriorate in parts of the country and the consequent impact of this ongoing conflict and violence, has reached catastrophic proportions for civilians,&quot; Guterres wrote.

Heavy-handed military operations by all parties, but especially by government forces loyal to Kiir, were &quot;daily destroying homes and livelihoods,&quot; said the report sent to the Security Council on Monday.

&quot;The rise of militias under the loose command of the SPLA or rebel commanders is spreading the fragmentation and dislocation of its territories, which risk, if this trend continues, remaining out of any government control for years to come,&quot; said the report.

Guterres has been pushing regional leaders like Uganda&#39;s President Yoweri Museveni, who is close to Kiir, to put pressure on the South Sudanese leader to rein in his forces and pull back from the brink.

The UN chief urged the Security Council to take action to revive political talks to convince rebels to stop fighting and give the government legitimacy to seek international financial aid. The United Nations has 13,000 peacekeepers in South Sudan, but they have repeatedly been blocked by government soldiers and rebels from areas where fighting has flared.

Last week, a peacekeeper on patrol in Eastern Equatoria was stopped by four soldiers, dragged out of his car and beaten, the report said.

Following his meeting with Kiir, Guterres reported progress on deploying a regional force under UN command to bolster security in the capital Juba.

Rwanda is poised to send troops and helicopters in a first wave of deployment expected in March or April while Ethiopia is also preparing to contribute forces.

But Kenya has yet to schedule talks on their contribution to the 4,000-strong force and a dispute over the force`s presence at the Juba airport is unresolved, the report said.&nbsp;

South Sudan remains a divisive issue at the Security Council after the United States failed in December to win support for an arms embargo and sanctions.

Russia, China, Japan and Egypt were among the countries that voted against a US-drafted resolution, arguing that punitive action would antagonize South Sudan`s leaders and further dampen prospects for peace.

Council diplomats point to the success by West African leaders in pushing Gambia`s leader Yahya Jammeh to abide by election results and cede power as proof that regional pressure can achieve results.

After gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan descended into war in December 2013, leaving tens of thousands dead and more than three million people displaced.

There is growing alarm over the humanitarian crisis in the country where more than six million people -- half of South Sudan`s population -- are in need of urgent aid.

(AFP)

The stark warning followed a series of meetings that Guterres held with regional leaders and South Sudan's President Salva Kiir last month

A confidential UN report is warning that the war in South Sudan has reached "catastrophic proportions for civilians" and the rise of militias risks spinning out of control, fueling fighting for years to come. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in the report obtained by AFP on Tuesday that civilians were fleeing villages and towns "in record numbers" and that the danger of mass atrocities "is real". The stark warning followed a series of meetings that Guterres held with regional leaders and South Sudan's President Salva Kiir last month to push for an end to the three-year war. "The security situation continues to deteriorate in parts of the country and the consequent impact of this ongoing conflict and violence, has reached catastrophic proportions for civilians," Guterres wrote. Heavy-handed military operations by all parties, but especially by government forces loyal to Kiir, were "daily destroying homes and livelihoods," said the report sent to the Security Council on Monday. "The rise of militias under the loose command of the SPLA or rebel commanders is spreading the fragmentation and dislocation of its territories, which risk, if this trend continues, remaining out of any government control for years to come," said the report. Guterres has been pushing regional leaders like Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni, who is close to Kiir, to put pressure on the South Sudanese leader to rein in his forces and pull back from the brink. The UN chief urged the Security Council to take action to revive political talks to convince rebels to stop fighting and give the government legitimacy to seek international financial aid. The United Nations has 13,000 peacekeepers in South Sudan, but they have repeatedly been blocked by government soldiers and rebels from areas where fighting has flared. Last week, a peacekeeper on patrol in Eastern Equatoria was stopped by four soldiers, dragged out of his car and beaten, the report said. Following his meeting with Kiir, Guterres reported progress on deploying a regional force under UN command to bolster security in the capital Juba. Rwanda is poised to send troops and helicopters in a first wave of deployment expected in March or April while Ethiopia is also preparing to contribute forces. But Kenya has yet to schedule talks on their contribution to the 4,000-strong force and a dispute over the force`s presence at the Juba airport is unresolved, the report said. South Sudan remains a divisive issue at the Security Council after the United States failed in December to win support for an arms embargo and sanctions. Russia, China, Japan and Egypt were among the countries that voted against a US-drafted resolution, arguing that punitive action would antagonize South Sudan`s leaders and further dampen prospects for peace. Council diplomats point to the success by West African leaders in pushing Gambia`s leader Yahya Jammeh to abide by election results and cede power as proof that regional pressure can achieve results. After gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan descended into war in December 2013, leaving tens of thousands dead and more than three million people displaced. There is growing alarm over the humanitarian crisis in the country where more than six million people -- half of South Sudan`s population -- are in need of urgent aid. (AFP)

South Sudan civil war reaches 'catastrophic proportions for civilians': UN

South Sudan&#39;s government on Wednesday was forced to deny President Salva Kiir had died, following days of rumours over his health that have heightened tensions in the capital Juba.

&quot;This is a mere lie, there is nothing as such, Salva Kiir has not even been sick,&quot; information minister Michael Makuei Lueth told journalists in Juba, slamming &quot;wild rumours&quot; he said aimed to divide the people of South Sudan.

The rumours have been doing the rounds on Twitter, and even spread as far as Uganda where Kiir, 65, was reported to have fled for medical treatment.

Residents of Juba reported a higher than usual presence of soldiers on the streets, as the rumours coincided with mounting concerns over an uptick in violence in the troubled nation in recent weeks.

&quot;We are scared of the situation. You cannot know what is exactly happening but (there are) rumours that the president has died. Well, it is said fighting may break out and this is why I am scared,&quot; said Moses Modi, a resident of Juba who was staying home over security fears.

Another Juba resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, reported that some schools had sent pupils back home.

&quot;There are soldiers deployed along the road. Mainly the roads around the ministries and the State House ... I am at work but leaving (for) home now. Because the tension is high,&quot; she added.

South Sudan, which gained independence in July 2011, descended into war just two and a half years later when Kiir in December 2013 accused his former deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup.

Numerous attempts to shore up a fragile truce failed, and in a major setback to peace efforts, fierce clashes erupted in Juba on July 8 this year between Kiir&#39;s guards and troops loyal to Machar.

The international community has expressed deep concerns over a spread in violence since the July clashes, which pushed the number of refugees from the war-scarred nation past the one-million mark, according to the UNHCR.

In a further blow to peace hopes, Machar last month urged &quot;a popular armed resistance&quot; against his rival&#39;s government.

Machar, who fled to Khartoum in the July fighting, on Wednesday left for South Africa for medical tests.

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Wednesday said it was &quot;extremely concerned over increased reports of violence and armed conflict in various parts of the country in the last few weeks.&quot;

In the town of Leer, in the north, UNMISS forces reported heavy artillery and gunfire exchanges between forces loyal to Kiir and Machar, leading to an unspecified number of deaths and sending local populations fleeing.

In a statement, UNMISS said it had been denied access to an area where some 21 civilians were reportedly killed in an ambush on the road between Juba and the southern city of Yei over the weekend.

(AFP)

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan expressed concern over 'increased reports of violence and armed conflict in the past few weeks'

South Sudan's government on Wednesday was forced to deny President Salva Kiir had died, following days of rumours over his health that have heightened tensions in the capital Juba. "This is a mere lie, there is nothing as such, Salva Kiir has not even been sick," information minister Michael Makuei Lueth told journalists in Juba, slamming "wild rumours" he said aimed to divide the people of South Sudan. The rumours have been doing the rounds on Twitter, and even spread as far as Uganda where Kiir, 65, was reported to have fled for medical treatment. Residents of Juba reported a higher than usual presence of soldiers on the streets, as the rumours coincided with mounting concerns over an uptick in violence in the troubled nation in recent weeks. "We are scared of the situation. You cannot know what is exactly happening but (there are) rumours that the president has died. Well, it is said fighting may break out and this is why I am scared," said Moses Modi, a resident of Juba who was staying home over security fears. Another Juba resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, reported that some schools had sent pupils back home. "There are soldiers deployed along the road. Mainly the roads around the ministries and the State House ... I am at work but leaving (for) home now. Because the tension is high," she added. South Sudan, which gained independence in July 2011, descended into war just two and a half years later when Kiir in December 2013 accused his former deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup. Numerous attempts to shore up a fragile truce failed, and in a major setback to peace efforts, fierce clashes erupted in Juba on July 8 this year between Kiir's guards and troops loyal to Machar. The international community has expressed deep concerns over a spread in violence since the July clashes, which pushed the number of refugees from the war-scarred nation past the one-million mark, according to the UNHCR. In a further blow to peace hopes, Machar last month urged "a popular armed resistance" against his rival's government. Machar, who fled to Khartoum in the July fighting, on Wednesday left for South Africa for medical tests. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Wednesday said it was "extremely concerned over increased reports of violence and armed conflict in various parts of the country in the last few weeks." In the town of Leer, in the north, UNMISS forces reported heavy artillery and gunfire exchanges between forces loyal to Kiir and Machar, leading to an unspecified number of deaths and sending local populations fleeing. In a statement, UNMISS said it had been denied access to an area where some 21 civilians were reportedly killed in an ambush on the road between Juba and the southern city of Yei over the weekend. (AFP)

Tensions mount in South Sudan after Kiir death rumours

Government soldiers and security forces in South Sudan executed civilians and gang-raped women and girls during and after ethnically-charged fighting last month in the capital Juba, the United Nations said on Thursday. 
 
Zeid Ra&#39;ad Al Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, called on the government of President Salva Kiir to prosecute perpetrators and urged world powers in the UN Security Council to take &quot;urgent action&quot; to halt the&nbsp;violence. &quot;While some civilians were killed in crossfire between the fighting forces, others were reportedly summarily executed by Government (SPLA) soldiers, who appear to have specifically targeted people of Nuer origin,&quot; Zeid said in a statement. 
 
Human rights spokesman Rupert Colville reiterated the statement in an interview with Reuters on Thursday. &quot;The majority of these violations, the great majority of these violations appeared to have been committed by government forces, by the SPLA.&nbsp;They include killings, summary executions of civilians, as well as fighters; they include a lot of looting and destruction of property, and perhaps most disturbing a very high number of attacks on women, apparently, on an ethnic basis for the most part... 217 cases that we are aware of so far and obviously there could well be many more,&quot; he said. 
 
He described his office&#39;s investigation, citing two separate incidents on 11 July in which SPLA soldiers reportedly arrested eight Nuer civilians during house-to-house searches in Juba&#39;s Munuki area and took them to two nearby hotels,&quot; and four of them were shot&quot;. 
 
On the same day, SPLA soldiers broke into another hotel where they shot and killed a Nuer journalist. At least 73 civilian deaths have been documented so far by the UN, but it is believed the civilian death toll may turn out to be &quot;much higher&quot;, Zeid said, adding that at least 217 cases of sexual violence in Juba had been documented during the period of July 8-25. 
 
&quot;On this one road heading to the south-west, the&nbsp;heart of Juba towards a town called Yei, and that road seems to be particularly, particularly bad. We know of around at least a hundred cases of women who were raped or gang-raped on that road in various different locations, sometimes (by) large groups, and it was mainly at checkpoints, it was government checkpoints presumably set up to catch opposition fighters fleeing the city but they were using their position to prey on women,&quot; Colville said. 
 
Kiir fired six ministers allied to his long-time rival Riek Machar late on Tuesday, widening a political rift in the world&#39;s newest state and drawing threats of more fighting. 
 
(Reuters)

Human rights spokesman Rupert Colville said they were aware of 217 cases of killings, executions, looting, and attacks on women so far

Government soldiers and security forces in South Sudan executed civilians and gang-raped women and girls during and after ethnically-charged fighting last month in the capital Juba, the United Nations said on Thursday. Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, called on the government of President Salva Kiir to prosecute perpetrators and urged world powers in the UN Security Council to take "urgent action" to halt the violence. "While some civilians were killed in crossfire between the fighting forces, others were reportedly summarily executed by Government (SPLA) soldiers, who appear to have specifically targeted people of Nuer origin," Zeid said in a statement. Human rights spokesman Rupert Colville reiterated the statement in an interview with Reuters on Thursday. "The majority of these violations, the great majority of these violations appeared to have been committed by government forces, by the SPLA. They include killings, summary executions of civilians, as well as fighters; they include a lot of looting and destruction of property, and perhaps most disturbing a very high number of attacks on women, apparently, on an ethnic basis for the most part... 217 cases that we are aware of so far and obviously there could well be many more," he said. He described his office's investigation, citing two separate incidents on 11 July in which SPLA soldiers reportedly arrested eight Nuer civilians during house-to-house searches in Juba's Munuki area and took them to two nearby hotels," and four of them were shot". On the same day, SPLA soldiers broke into another hotel where they shot and killed a Nuer journalist. At least 73 civilian deaths have been documented so far by the UN, but it is believed the civilian death toll may turn out to be "much higher", Zeid said, adding that at least 217 cases of sexual violence in Juba had been documented during the period of July 8-25. "On this one road heading to the south-west, the heart of Juba towards a town called Yei, and that road seems to be particularly, particularly bad. We know of around at least a hundred cases of women who were raped or gang-raped on that road in various different locations, sometimes (by) large groups, and it was mainly at checkpoints, it was government checkpoints presumably set up to catch opposition fighters fleeing the city but they were using their position to prey on women," Colville said. Kiir fired six ministers allied to his long-time rival Riek Machar late on Tuesday, widening a political rift in the world's newest state and drawing threats of more fighting. (Reuters)

South Sudan's government forces executed civilians and raped women: UN

Government security forces in South Sudan executed civilians and gang -raped women and girls during and after heavy fighting last month in the capital Juba, the United Nations human rights chief said on Thursday. 
 
Zeid Ra&#39;ad Al Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, called on the government of President Salva Kiir to prosecute perpetrators and urged world powers to take &quot;urgent action&quot; to halt violence in the world`s newest state. 
 
&quot;While some civilians were killed in crossfire between the fighting forces, others were reportedly summarily executed by Government (SPLA) soldiers, who appear to have specifically targeted people of Nuer origin,&quot; Zeid said in a statement.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;The fighting also resulted in widespread sexual violence, including rape and gang rape by soldiers in uniform and men in plain clothes.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has called on the South Sudanese government to prosecute those responsible

Government security forces in South Sudan executed civilians and gang -raped women and girls during and after heavy fighting last month in the capital Juba, the United Nations human rights chief said on Thursday. Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, called on the government of President Salva Kiir to prosecute perpetrators and urged world powers to take "urgent action" to halt violence in the world`s newest state. "While some civilians were killed in crossfire between the fighting forces, others were reportedly summarily executed by Government (SPLA) soldiers, who appear to have specifically targeted people of Nuer origin," Zeid said in a statement. "The fighting also resulted in widespread sexual violence, including rape and gang rape by soldiers in uniform and men in plain clothes." (Reuters)

Security forces in South Sudan killed civilians, gang-raped women, says UN

Tens of thousands of people have fled a fresh outbreak of violence in South Sudan, reporting mass killings, looting and forced recruitment of child soldiers, UN agencies said today. 
 
Many of the refugees pouring into neighbouring Uganda, Kenya and Sudan have been carrying malnourished children, the refugee agency the UNHCR added, the victims of a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by food shortages and a cholera outbreak. 
 
The world&#39;s newest nation has been caught up in more than two years of ethnically charged fighting between supporters of President Salva Kiir and his long-time rival Riek Machar that has raised fears of wider instability across east Africa. 
 
Machar&#39;s supporters said at least nine people had died in the latest clashes on a road in Central Equatoria state, the region that includes the capital, Juba, over the weekend. 
 
Government spokesman Michael Makuei Lueth played down those reports, insisting that a frequently broken peace deal signed last year was still on track. 
 
&ldquo;People must understand that the peace agreement doesn&rsquo;t belong to Riek Machar,&quot; he told reporters in the capital on Tuesday. The personal rivalry between Kiir, from the Dinka group, and Machar, a Nuer, has worsened ethnic splits in a country awash with weapons since the long civil war that led to its separation from Sudan in 2011. 
 
Machar, who returned to the capital in April under the terms of the troubled peace deal, left again last month as new clashes broke out between his men and Kiir&#39;s. &nbsp; 
 
Government military helicopters flew over the capital over the weekend, but the streets were quiet on Tuesday. Residents reported sharp rises in the prices of fuel, vegetables, flour and other basic foodstuffs, with traders blaming shortages on blockages on the main trade route to Uganda. Banks closed their branches and many families stayed in shelters outside UN compounds across the city. 
 
Further afield, local militias, who often fight over control of land, grazing, and oil-producing areas, have been taking advantage of the chaos to step up their operations. UN agencies said refugees had reported gunmen trying to block their flight and harassing them on the way. 
 
&quot;Armed groups operating across different parts of South Sudan are looting villages, murdering civilians and forcibly recruiting young men and boys into their ranks,&quot; UNHCR spokeswoman Melissa Fleming told a briefing in Geneva. 
 
Around 60,000 people have fled as violence mounted over the past three weeks, she said, the bulk of them to Uganda, doubling the flow over that border over the past 10 days. &quot;We are very concerned about quickly having the capacity to treat the increasing numbers of malnourished children who are coming across,&quot; Fleming said. 
 
A further 1.6 million South Sudanese are displaced people within their country, said Jens Laerke of the UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). &quot;These are really very vast numbers, it&#39;s a massive crisis,&quot; Laerke added, noting that in all 900,000 refugees have fled South Sudan since December 2013. 
 
A cholera outbreak is spreading in South Sudan, the World Health Organization (WHO) said, with 35 new admissions being recorded in Juba county daily, WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib said. 
 
There have been signs of a split within Machar&#39;s movement since he left the capital, and analysts have questioned whether both men have full authority over their followers. 
 
(AFP)

World's newest nation has been caught up in more than two years of ethnically charged fighting

Tens of thousands of people have fled a fresh outbreak of violence in South Sudan, reporting mass killings, looting and forced recruitment of child soldiers, UN agencies said today. Many of the refugees pouring into neighbouring Uganda, Kenya and Sudan have been carrying malnourished children, the refugee agency the UNHCR added, the victims of a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by food shortages and a cholera outbreak. The world's newest nation has been caught up in more than two years of ethnically charged fighting between supporters of President Salva Kiir and his long-time rival Riek Machar that has raised fears of wider instability across east Africa. Machar's supporters said at least nine people had died in the latest clashes on a road in Central Equatoria state, the region that includes the capital, Juba, over the weekend. Government spokesman Michael Makuei Lueth played down those reports, insisting that a frequently broken peace deal signed last year was still on track. “People must understand that the peace agreement doesn’t belong to Riek Machar," he told reporters in the capital on Tuesday. The personal rivalry between Kiir, from the Dinka group, and Machar, a Nuer, has worsened ethnic splits in a country awash with weapons since the long civil war that led to its separation from Sudan in 2011. Machar, who returned to the capital in April under the terms of the troubled peace deal, left again last month as new clashes broke out between his men and Kiir's. Government military helicopters flew over the capital over the weekend, but the streets were quiet on Tuesday. Residents reported sharp rises in the prices of fuel, vegetables, flour and other basic foodstuffs, with traders blaming shortages on blockages on the main trade route to Uganda. Banks closed their branches and many families stayed in shelters outside UN compounds across the city. Further afield, local militias, who often fight over control of land, grazing, and oil-producing areas, have been taking advantage of the chaos to step up their operations. UN agencies said refugees had reported gunmen trying to block their flight and harassing them on the way. "Armed groups operating across different parts of South Sudan are looting villages, murdering civilians and forcibly recruiting young men and boys into their ranks," UNHCR spokeswoman Melissa Fleming told a briefing in Geneva. Around 60,000 people have fled as violence mounted over the past three weeks, she said, the bulk of them to Uganda, doubling the flow over that border over the past 10 days. "We are very concerned about quickly having the capacity to treat the increasing numbers of malnourished children who are coming across," Fleming said. A further 1.6 million South Sudanese are displaced people within their country, said Jens Laerke of the UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). "These are really very vast numbers, it's a massive crisis," Laerke added, noting that in all 900,000 refugees have fled South Sudan since December 2013. A cholera outbreak is spreading in South Sudan, the World Health Organization (WHO) said, with 35 new admissions being recorded in Juba county daily, WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib said. There have been signs of a split within Machar's movement since he left the capital, and analysts have questioned whether both men have full authority over their followers. (AFP)

Tens of thousands of people flee South Sudan as fresh violence erupts: UN

A South Sudanese minister and opposition figure resigned on Monday, saying a peace deal designed to heal the troubled young nation was dead, while calling for President Salva Kiir&#39;s unity government to leave power. 
 
Lam Akol was agriculture minister in Kiir&#39;s administration and is the leader of the opposition Sudan People&#39;s Liberation Movement-Democratic Change (SPLM-DC) party. 
 
He has also spoken out against rebel leader Riek Machar, whose forces have clashed in recent weeks with government troops loyal to Kiir, and was the president&#39;s only real opponent in a 2010 election when the country was still a semi-autonomous territory. 
 
&quot;There is no more peace agreement to implement in Juba,&quot; Akol said at a press conference in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.&nbsp;&quot;All of us agree that the regime in Juba must change,&quot; he added. 
 
After gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan descended into civil war in December 2013.&nbsp;Under the terms of an August 2015 peace deal, the 30 ministerial posts are split between Kiir, Machar as first vice president, as well as opposition and other parties. 
 
But Machar has fled the capital, and Kiir has appointed a replacement from within the ex-vice-president&#39;s SPLM/A (IO) party, laying bare fractures within the administration and opposition. 
 
Akol said he was working with other opposition figures so that anti-government resistance could be &quot;consolidated&quot;. 
 
&quot;Since the agreement is dead and there is no free political space in Juba, the only sensible way to oppose this regime so as to restore &nbsp; &nbsp; genuine peace... is to organise outside Juba,&quot; he said. 
 
(AFP) 
 
&nbsp;

Lam Akol was agriculture minister in Kiir's administration, and also the leader of the opposition

A South Sudanese minister and opposition figure resigned on Monday, saying a peace deal designed to heal the troubled young nation was dead, while calling for President Salva Kiir's unity government to leave power. Lam Akol was agriculture minister in Kiir's administration and is the leader of the opposition Sudan People's Liberation Movement-Democratic Change (SPLM-DC) party. He has also spoken out against rebel leader Riek Machar, whose forces have clashed in recent weeks with government troops loyal to Kiir, and was the president's only real opponent in a 2010 election when the country was still a semi-autonomous territory. "There is no more peace agreement to implement in Juba," Akol said at a press conference in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. "All of us agree that the regime in Juba must change," he added. After gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan descended into civil war in December 2013. Under the terms of an August 2015 peace deal, the 30 ministerial posts are split between Kiir, Machar as first vice president, as well as opposition and other parties. But Machar has fled the capital, and Kiir has appointed a replacement from within the ex-vice-president's SPLM/A (IO) party, laying bare fractures within the administration and opposition. Akol said he was working with other opposition figures so that anti-government resistance could be "consolidated". "Since the agreement is dead and there is no free political space in Juba, the only sensible way to oppose this regime so as to restore genuine peace... is to organise outside Juba," he said. (AFP)

South Sudan minister resigns, calls for change in regime

The United Nations has documented at least 120 cases of rape since a recent flareup of violence in South Sudan and is investigating allegations that its peacekeepers did nothing to stop the violence, a spokesman said yesterday. 
 
&quot;We take very seriously the allegations that peacekeepers did not render aid to civilians in distress,&quot; said UN spokesman Farhan Haq. 
 
&quot;Of course that is exactly what they are supposed to do and there would be serious repercussions if they failed in their duty,&quot; he added. 
 
Media reports quoted witnesses who said peacekeepers looked on and did nothing during at least one assault on a woman. 
 
The Associated Press interviewed a witness who said at least 30 peacekeepers from Chinese and Nepalese battalions watched as a woman screamed for help during an assault by two soldiers near the base&#39;s gate. 
 
Haq said the command of the UN force in South Sudan, known as UNMISS, was looking into the allegations that peacekeepers failed to protect civilians. 
 
South Sudanese soldiers in uniform and men in plain clothes were allegedly involved in the sexual violence, including gang rapes, against civilians near a UN base in Juba and other areas of the capital, said Haq. 
 
Some of the victims were minors, he added. 
 
Juba was rocked by several days of heavy fighting starting on July 9 between government forces and those loyal to rebel chief Riek Machar, the latest upsurge in the two and half year war. 
 
Nearly 300 people died in the violence and thousands rushed to UN peacekeeping bases for safety. 
 
In response to the increase in rapes, UN peacekeepers have stepped up patrols around the base and in the city. 
 
They are also accompanying women who venture out of the base to collect firewood and procure other items, said Haq. 
 
UNMISS has 13,500 troops and police deployed across South Sudan under a mandate that calls for the protection of civilians. 
 
(AFP)

Chinese and Nepalese battalions watched as a woman screamed for help during an assault by two soldiers, a witness told Associated Press

The United Nations has documented at least 120 cases of rape since a recent flareup of violence in South Sudan and is investigating allegations that its peacekeepers did nothing to stop the violence, a spokesman said yesterday. "We take very seriously the allegations that peacekeepers did not render aid to civilians in distress," said UN spokesman Farhan Haq. "Of course that is exactly what they are supposed to do and there would be serious repercussions if they failed in their duty," he added. Media reports quoted witnesses who said peacekeepers looked on and did nothing during at least one assault on a woman. The Associated Press interviewed a witness who said at least 30 peacekeepers from Chinese and Nepalese battalions watched as a woman screamed for help during an assault by two soldiers near the base's gate. Haq said the command of the UN force in South Sudan, known as UNMISS, was looking into the allegations that peacekeepers failed to protect civilians. South Sudanese soldiers in uniform and men in plain clothes were allegedly involved in the sexual violence, including gang rapes, against civilians near a UN base in Juba and other areas of the capital, said Haq. Some of the victims were minors, he added. Juba was rocked by several days of heavy fighting starting on July 9 between government forces and those loyal to rebel chief Riek Machar, the latest upsurge in the two and half year war. Nearly 300 people died in the violence and thousands rushed to UN peacekeeping bases for safety. In response to the increase in rapes, UN peacekeepers have stepped up patrols around the base and in the city. They are also accompanying women who venture out of the base to collect firewood and procure other items, said Haq. UNMISS has 13,500 troops and police deployed across South Sudan under a mandate that calls for the protection of civilians. (AFP)

UN peacekeepers accused of failing to stop South Sudan rapes

More than 37,000 people have fled South Sudan for neighbouring Uganda in the last three weeks following intense fighting between rival troops that left hundreds dead, the United Nation&#39;s (UN)&nbsp;refugee body said today. 
 
An already shaky 2015 peace deal signed after a bloody civil war in the world&#39;s newest nation looks uncertain after the clashes between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and those allied with former rebel leader Riek Machar. 
 
&quot;In the past three weeks there have been more refugee arrivals in Uganda than in the entire first six months of 2016,&quot; when 33,838 crossed the border, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said in a statement. 
 
More than 90 per cent of the arrivals were women and children, UNHCR said, with men forcibly recruited by armed groups and prevented from crossing the border. 
 
Those who fled were from South Sudan&#39;s Eastern Equatoria region, as well as from the capital, Juba, and the last week has seen the greatest surges. 
 
Facilities on the Ugandan side were overwhelmed at first with the sheer size of the influx, UNHCR said. 
 
It used the example of Elegu, northern Uganda, where more than 11,000 refugees were at one point staying in a shelter designed for 1,000. 
 
Underfunding of the UN bodies helping those displaced compounded the problem, the refugee agency said, adding that 831,582 South Sudanese were now refugees, scattered across Ethiopia, Sudan, and Uganda. 
 
South Sudan&#39;s President Salva Kiir announced on Monday that former rebel leader Riek Machar had been replaced as vice president, confirming signs of serious divisions within the opposition. 
 
Kiir said he had appointed Taban Deng Gai to the post on the &quot;recommendation of the top leadership of the SPLM/A (IO)&quot; -- the group Machar heads. 
 
Machar has refused to come back to Juba until the deployment of a neutral force of African troops -- a plan approved by the African Union but rejected by Kiir. 
 
Machar and Kiir fell out in 2013, little more than two years after South Sudan became independent, when Kiir accused his vice president of plotting against him. 
 
(AFP)&nbsp;

'In the past three weeks, there have been more refugee arrivals in Uganda than in the entire first six months of 2016'

More than 37,000 people have fled South Sudan for neighbouring Uganda in the last three weeks following intense fighting between rival troops that left hundreds dead, the United Nation's (UN) refugee body said today. An already shaky 2015 peace deal signed after a bloody civil war in the world's newest nation looks uncertain after the clashes between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and those allied with former rebel leader Riek Machar. "In the past three weeks there have been more refugee arrivals in Uganda than in the entire first six months of 2016," when 33,838 crossed the border, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said in a statement. More than 90 per cent of the arrivals were women and children, UNHCR said, with men forcibly recruited by armed groups and prevented from crossing the border. Those who fled were from South Sudan's Eastern Equatoria region, as well as from the capital, Juba, and the last week has seen the greatest surges. Facilities on the Ugandan side were overwhelmed at first with the sheer size of the influx, UNHCR said. It used the example of Elegu, northern Uganda, where more than 11,000 refugees were at one point staying in a shelter designed for 1,000. Underfunding of the UN bodies helping those displaced compounded the problem, the refugee agency said, adding that 831,582 South Sudanese were now refugees, scattered across Ethiopia, Sudan, and Uganda. South Sudan's President Salva Kiir announced on Monday that former rebel leader Riek Machar had been replaced as vice president, confirming signs of serious divisions within the opposition. Kiir said he had appointed Taban Deng Gai to the post on the "recommendation of the top leadership of the SPLM/A (IO)" -- the group Machar heads. Machar has refused to come back to Juba until the deployment of a neutral force of African troops -- a plan approved by the African Union but rejected by Kiir. Machar and Kiir fell out in 2013, little more than two years after South Sudan became independent, when Kiir accused his vice president of plotting against him. (AFP)

In 3 weeks, more than 37,000 people fled South Sudan for Uganda: UN

South Sudan President Salva Kiir replaced his vice president and rival Riek Machar on Monday, a move that could potentially undermine last year&#39;s peace deal and reignite war in Africa&#39;s youngest nation. 
 
Machar was sworn in as first vice president only last April, eight months after a peace agreement that ended two years of fighting that broke out the last time that Kiir sacked him as his deputy in 2013. 
 
But the rivalry between the two men led to violence in the capital Juba early this month as forces from both sides battled each other with tanks, helicopters and other heavy weapons. 
 
Machar, from the minority Nuer ethnic group, left Juba with his troops, saying he would only return when an international body had to set up a buffer force between his fighters and those supporting Kiir, leader of the dominant Dinka group. 
 
Kiir issued an ultimatum last week, saying Machar had 48 hours to contact him and return to Juba to salvage last year&#39;s peace deal, or face replacement. 
 
He made good on that threat on Monday (July 25) when he issued a decree &quot;for the appointment of the first vice president of the republic of South Sudan&quot;, naming General Tabal Deng Gai to the post. 
 
A former minister of mining, Deng Gai was a chief negotiator on behalf of Machar&#39;s SPLM-IO group in the talks that led to last year&#39;s deal. But last week, he broke ranks with Machar and backed Kiir&#39;s ultimatum to him. 
 
South Sudan&#39;s politics has long been plagued by splits and rivalries as leaders switch allegiances in a struggle for power an influence in the oil-producing nation, which only emerged from Sudan five years ago. 
 
Its last war, which started after Kiir sacked Machar as vice president in 2013, killed more than 10,000 people and displaced over 2 million, many of whom fled to neighbouring countries. 
 
(Reuters) 
&nbsp;

Salva Kiir swears in General Tabal Deng Gai as the replacement for vice president Machar, a move which puts last year's peace deal at risk

South Sudan President Salva Kiir replaced his vice president and rival Riek Machar on Monday, a move that could potentially undermine last year's peace deal and reignite war in Africa's youngest nation. Machar was sworn in as first vice president only last April, eight months after a peace agreement that ended two years of fighting that broke out the last time that Kiir sacked him as his deputy in 2013. But the rivalry between the two men led to violence in the capital Juba early this month as forces from both sides battled each other with tanks, helicopters and other heavy weapons. Machar, from the minority Nuer ethnic group, left Juba with his troops, saying he would only return when an international body had to set up a buffer force between his fighters and those supporting Kiir, leader of the dominant Dinka group. Kiir issued an ultimatum last week, saying Machar had 48 hours to contact him and return to Juba to salvage last year's peace deal, or face replacement. He made good on that threat on Monday (July 25) when he issued a decree "for the appointment of the first vice president of the republic of South Sudan", naming General Tabal Deng Gai to the post. A former minister of mining, Deng Gai was a chief negotiator on behalf of Machar's SPLM-IO group in the talks that led to last year's deal. But last week, he broke ranks with Machar and backed Kiir's ultimatum to him. South Sudan's politics has long been plagued by splits and rivalries as leaders switch allegiances in a struggle for power an influence in the oil-producing nation, which only emerged from Sudan five years ago. Its last war, which started after Kiir sacked Machar as vice president in 2013, killed more than 10,000 people and displaced over 2 million, many of whom fled to neighbouring countries. (Reuters)

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir sacks deputy and rival Riek Machar

South Sudan&#39;s President Salva Kiir announced yesterday that former rebel leader Riek Machar had been replaced as vice president, confirming signs of serious divisions within the opposition. 
 
Kiir said he had appointed Taban Deng Gai to the post on the &quot;recommendation of the top leadership of the SPLM/A (IO)&quot; -- the group Machar heads and which engaged in clashes with government forces in Juba in early July. 
 
Last week Machar said he had fired Deng as minister of mines - a post that was within Machar&#39;s powers to appoint. 
 
Then around 100 SPLM/A (IO) members came out to name Deng as the movement&#39;s leader and by extension the first vice president, because Machar&#39;s absence from the capital meant the post was effectively vacant. 
 
Machar has not been seen in Juba since the clashes earlier this month and has accused the president of trying to have him killed. 
 
In reaction to the show of support for Deng, the &quot;political bureau&quot; of the ex-rebel movement said on Sunday it condemned &quot;in the strongest terms possible the attempt to destabilise the SPLM/A (IO) and destroy the (2015) peace agreement.&quot; 
 
It accused Deng of having a &quot;personal vendetta&quot; against Machar and his supporters of having been &quot;coerced&quot; by the Kiir&#39;s camp. 
 
Machar and Kiir fell out in 2013, little more than two years after South Sudan became independent, when Kiir accused his vice president of plotting against him. 
 
The result was a civil war that killed tens of thousands of people. 
 
The latest is a series of peace agreements was sealed in August 2015. Deng was the chief negotiator for the SPLM/A (IO). 
 
Kiir had given Machar a deadline of Saturday to return to Juba. 
 
But Machar has refused to come back until the deployment of a neutral force of African troops - a plan approved by the African Union but rejected by Kiir. 
 
(AFP)

Taban Deng Gai, who was fired as minister of mines by Machar last week, has been appointed as the new vice-president

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir announced yesterday that former rebel leader Riek Machar had been replaced as vice president, confirming signs of serious divisions within the opposition. Kiir said he had appointed Taban Deng Gai to the post on the "recommendation of the top leadership of the SPLM/A (IO)" -- the group Machar heads and which engaged in clashes with government forces in Juba in early July. Last week Machar said he had fired Deng as minister of mines - a post that was within Machar's powers to appoint. Then around 100 SPLM/A (IO) members came out to name Deng as the movement's leader and by extension the first vice president, because Machar's absence from the capital meant the post was effectively vacant. Machar has not been seen in Juba since the clashes earlier this month and has accused the president of trying to have him killed. In reaction to the show of support for Deng, the "political bureau" of the ex-rebel movement said on Sunday it condemned "in the strongest terms possible the attempt to destabilise the SPLM/A (IO) and destroy the (2015) peace agreement." It accused Deng of having a "personal vendetta" against Machar and his supporters of having been "coerced" by the Kiir's camp. Machar and Kiir fell out in 2013, little more than two years after South Sudan became independent, when Kiir accused his vice president of plotting against him. The result was a civil war that killed tens of thousands of people. The latest is a series of peace agreements was sealed in August 2015. Deng was the chief negotiator for the SPLM/A (IO). Kiir had given Machar a deadline of Saturday to return to Juba. But Machar has refused to come back until the deployment of a neutral force of African troops - a plan approved by the African Union but rejected by Kiir. (AFP)

Riek Machar replaced as South Sudan vice-president

A rift appeared in one of South Sudans two main rival groups today, raising the prospect of further turmoil after months of fighting, as members of one faction threatened to replace their leader. 
 
A group inside the Sudan People&#39;s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO)&nbsp;issued a statement saying its head Riek Machar should return to the capital Juba and carry on his work in the government, or be removed from office. Machar, South Sudan&#39; s vice-president, and his SPLM-IO group, have been caught up with more than two years of on-and-off, ethnically charged fighting with supporters of the country&#39;s President Salva Kiir. 
 
Machar left the capital last week after a fresh outbreak of clashes, saying he would only return when an international body set up a buffer force to separate his forces from Kiirs. 
 
Kiir called on him on Thursday to return to salvage a peace deal, and a faction of Machars own group, led by mining minister Taban Deng Gai, today said they agreed. 
 
&ldquo;The decision by the government to give... Machar an ultimatum is entirely in line with its powers,&quot; said&nbsp;William Ezekiel, spokesman for SPLM-IO faction allied to Gai, told Reuters by phone. &quot;On our side, we want him to show up, otherwise we will replace him.&quot; Machars spokesman, James Gatdet, rebuffed the threats, saaying Gais faction had no official status in the momement. 
 
South Sudan&#39;s politics has long been plagued by splits and rivalries as leaders switch allegiances, in the contest for power and influence in the oil-producing nation, which only emerged from Sudan five years ago. 
 
&ldquo;Machar has communicated to all his military commanders to cut off any communication with General Taban Deng Gai and his few individuals who support the President Kiirs conspiracy,&quot; he said. The two years of fighting started after Kiir sacked Machar as Vice President in 2013 and has killed more than 10,000 people and displaced over two million, many of whom fled to neighbouring countries. 
 
The most recent fighting in Juba has forces 26,000 people to flee to neighbouring Uganda, the UN refugee agency UNHCR&#39;s spokesman Andreas Needham told a news conference in Geneva. 
 
(AFP)

Opposition group says Reik Machar should either carry on with his work in the government from Juba, or be removed from office

A rift appeared in one of South Sudans two main rival groups today, raising the prospect of further turmoil after months of fighting, as members of one faction threatened to replace their leader. A group inside the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) issued a statement saying its head Riek Machar should return to the capital Juba and carry on his work in the government, or be removed from office. Machar, South Sudan' s vice-president, and his SPLM-IO group, have been caught up with more than two years of on-and-off, ethnically charged fighting with supporters of the country's President Salva Kiir. Machar left the capital last week after a fresh outbreak of clashes, saying he would only return when an international body set up a buffer force to separate his forces from Kiirs. Kiir called on him on Thursday to return to salvage a peace deal, and a faction of Machars own group, led by mining minister Taban Deng Gai, today said they agreed. “The decision by the government to give... Machar an ultimatum is entirely in line with its powers," said William Ezekiel, spokesman for SPLM-IO faction allied to Gai, told Reuters by phone. "On our side, we want him to show up, otherwise we will replace him." Machars spokesman, James Gatdet, rebuffed the threats, saaying Gais faction had no official status in the momement. South Sudan's politics has long been plagued by splits and rivalries as leaders switch allegiances, in the contest for power and influence in the oil-producing nation, which only emerged from Sudan five years ago. “Machar has communicated to all his military commanders to cut off any communication with General Taban Deng Gai and his few individuals who support the President Kiirs conspiracy," he said. The two years of fighting started after Kiir sacked Machar as Vice President in 2013 and has killed more than 10,000 people and displaced over two million, many of whom fled to neighbouring countries. The most recent fighting in Juba has forces 26,000 people to flee to neighbouring Uganda, the UN refugee agency UNHCR's spokesman Andreas Needham told a news conference in Geneva. (AFP)

Split appears in South Sudan opposition, threatening more turmoil

It was looting on an epic scale, a month&#39;s worth of food aid for over 220,000 South Sudanese along with the giant warehouses that stored it,&nbsp;were stolen in two days. 
 
As fighting raged between rival forces in the capital Juba last week, the UN&#39;s World Food Programme&#39;s main logistics hub was picked clean. 
 
WFP says it is &quot;outraged&quot; by the theft of more than 4,500 tonnes of food &quot;intended for the poorest and most vulnerable people&quot; in a country trying to stave off famine. 
 
At least 300 people were killed in the city between July 8 and 11 during clashes pitting government forces against former rebels, and in the anarchy of war, many took advantage to steal what they could. 
 
On Saturday, an angry soldier waving a gun stopped anyone entering or photographing the fenced compound, but it was clear to see that nothing of value remained. Men hammered at broken trucks for spare parts, while others ripped off electrical wires from an office block. 
 
Some of the looters tore down at the remaining few sections of thick plastic sheeting that had covered the metal frames of rows of warehouses, now standing out like the bare bones of a ribcage. 
 
Several people walked away balancing boxes of looted cooking oil or rolls of tin roofing sheets on their heads. 
 
Army spokesman Lul Ruai Koang has said the looting in Juba was &quot;unfortunate&quot;, blaming it on opposition troops, part of a 1,400-force of ex-rebel turned Vice-President Riek Machar. 
 
The capital has been relatively calm since late Monday, when Machar&#39;s men were forced to flee after government troops in tanks and helicopter gunships pounded their positions with overwhelming firepower. 
 
Much of the stolen food was trucked away from the sprawling base on the outskirts of Juba: a large-scale, well organised operation that would have required hundreds of trips. 
 
Nearby residents said &quot;men in uniform&quot; even used a truck mounted with a crane to steal the minibus-sized generators that once powered the giant site. 
 
&quot;After the soldiers left, then ordinary citizens came to see what they could take,&quot; said James Keri, who lives in the nearby Gudele district, an area dotted with burnt-out houses destroyed during the fighting. 
 
Other goods were carted away in cars, motorbikes, wheelbarrows and on people&#39;s heads. 
 
More than a third of South Sudan&#39;s population are expected to face severe food shortages over the coming months and the war-torn nation runs the risk of a &quot;hunger catastrophe,&quot; according to the UN. 
 
WFP warned that the loss of the &quot;vital&quot; aid &quot;will severely hamper&quot; its efforts to support those caught up in the fighting. 
 
Three-quarters of people need some form of humanitarian aid, WFP&#39;s top chief Ertharin Cousin said earlier this week, warning that the &quot;latest conflict is going to push even more people into hunger and despair. 
 
&quot;WFP has other stores in the country and the region, but the loss of the food is another blow to efforts to support those hardest hit by over two years of war. 
 
&quot;The dire humanitarian crisis in other parts of South Sudan has not abated,&quot; WFP warned. 
 
The WFP base was only one of many places ransacked.&nbsp;Civilians reported houses and shops broken into as they fled for safety to churches or the surrounding countryside. 
 
&quot;The fighting was so much, we spent a day under our beds as bullets came through the walls of house,&quot; said Mary Wani, now seeking shelter in a church.&nbsp;Then they forced us from our homes, and as we left, they were taking all they could from inside.&quot; 
 
Not far from the looted WFP warehouse, the Doctors Without Borders (MSF) medical aid agency has set up a small tent operating as a mobile clinic, supporting those who fled their homes in the fighting.&nbsp;Civilians with bullet wounds came to the clinic immediately after the fighting, said MSF clinical officer Isaac Badi, sweating in the heat of the tent, where women held crying babies. 
 
&quot;Now we are seeing cases of malnutrition in the children,&quot; Badi said.&nbsp; 
 
Over 100,000 children have been treated for severe malnutrition this year, a 40 per cent increase compared to 2015, and a 150 per cent increase since 2014, the UN children&#39;s agency UNICEF says. 
 
Food prices have soared in the marketplace since the fighting, coupled with runaway inflation. 
 
&quot;We don&#39;t have food,&quot; said Wani, cradling a crying baby girl. &quot;There is almost nothing for us to eat.&quot; 
 
(AFP)

More than 4,500 tonnes of food 'intended for the poorest and most vulnerable' stolen as at least 300 killed and famine threatens Juba

It was looting on an epic scale, a month's worth of food aid for over 220,000 South Sudanese along with the giant warehouses that stored it, were stolen in two days. As fighting raged between rival forces in the capital Juba last week, the UN's World Food Programme's main logistics hub was picked clean. WFP says it is "outraged" by the theft of more than 4,500 tonnes of food "intended for the poorest and most vulnerable people" in a country trying to stave off famine. At least 300 people were killed in the city between July 8 and 11 during clashes pitting government forces against former rebels, and in the anarchy of war, many took advantage to steal what they could. On Saturday, an angry soldier waving a gun stopped anyone entering or photographing the fenced compound, but it was clear to see that nothing of value remained. Men hammered at broken trucks for spare parts, while others ripped off electrical wires from an office block. Some of the looters tore down at the remaining few sections of thick plastic sheeting that had covered the metal frames of rows of warehouses, now standing out like the bare bones of a ribcage. Several people walked away balancing boxes of looted cooking oil or rolls of tin roofing sheets on their heads. Army spokesman Lul Ruai Koang has said the looting in Juba was "unfortunate", blaming it on opposition troops, part of a 1,400-force of ex-rebel turned Vice-President Riek Machar. The capital has been relatively calm since late Monday, when Machar's men were forced to flee after government troops in tanks and helicopter gunships pounded their positions with overwhelming firepower. Much of the stolen food was trucked away from the sprawling base on the outskirts of Juba: a large-scale, well organised operation that would have required hundreds of trips. Nearby residents said "men in uniform" even used a truck mounted with a crane to steal the minibus-sized generators that once powered the giant site. "After the soldiers left, then ordinary citizens came to see what they could take," said James Keri, who lives in the nearby Gudele district, an area dotted with burnt-out houses destroyed during the fighting. Other goods were carted away in cars, motorbikes, wheelbarrows and on people's heads. More than a third of South Sudan's population are expected to face severe food shortages over the coming months and the war-torn nation runs the risk of a "hunger catastrophe," according to the UN. WFP warned that the loss of the "vital" aid "will severely hamper" its efforts to support those caught up in the fighting. Three-quarters of people need some form of humanitarian aid, WFP's top chief Ertharin Cousin said earlier this week, warning that the "latest conflict is going to push even more people into hunger and despair. "WFP has other stores in the country and the region, but the loss of the food is another blow to efforts to support those hardest hit by over two years of war. "The dire humanitarian crisis in other parts of South Sudan has not abated," WFP warned. The WFP base was only one of many places ransacked. Civilians reported houses and shops broken into as they fled for safety to churches or the surrounding countryside. "The fighting was so much, we spent a day under our beds as bullets came through the walls of house," said Mary Wani, now seeking shelter in a church. Then they forced us from our homes, and as we left, they were taking all they could from inside." Not far from the looted WFP warehouse, the Doctors Without Borders (MSF) medical aid agency has set up a small tent operating as a mobile clinic, supporting those who fled their homes in the fighting. Civilians with bullet wounds came to the clinic immediately after the fighting, said MSF clinical officer Isaac Badi, sweating in the heat of the tent, where women held crying babies. "Now we are seeing cases of malnutrition in the children," Badi said. Over 100,000 children have been treated for severe malnutrition this year, a 40 per cent increase compared to 2015, and a 150 per cent increase since 2014, the UN children's agency UNICEF says. Food prices have soared in the marketplace since the fighting, coupled with runaway inflation. "We don't have food," said Wani, cradling a crying baby girl. "There is almost nothing for us to eat." (AFP)

UN's food-aid in South Sudan stolen as fighting rages

The two C-17 military transport aircraft India sent on Thursday to Juba, the war-torn capital of South Sudan, to evacuate the more than 300 Indians stranded there are expected to land in Delhi at 10 am today. 
 
The aircraft will first make a three-hour refuelling stop at Entebbe in Uganda, sources said. From there, they will fly to Thiruvananthapuram in the Indian state of Kerala, and then on to the capital Delhi.&nbsp; 
 
External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj had, in a series of tweets, said yesterday: &quot;Indians in South Sudan - Pls move out. We have sent two aircrafts for you. If situation worsens, we will not be able to evacuate u.&quot; 
 
&quot;South Sudan - My colleague @Gen_VKSingh has landed in Juba to evacuate Indian nationals from there. Operation #SankatMochan.&quot; 
 
Ahead of his departure in the wee hours of Thursday, Singh had said: &quot;Time to leave.Thank you all for the messages &amp; good wishes. We will do our best to bring back every Indian. Op #SankatMochan.&quot; 
 
Singh is being accompanied by Amar Sinha, secretary (economic relations) in the external affairs ministry, joint secretary Satbir Singh, and director Anjani Kumar.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
An official advisory had said yesterday that only Indian nationals with valid Indian travel documents would be allowed to board, that they would be allowed to carry on a maximum of five kilograms of cabin baggage and no check-in pieces. 
 
Women and children would be accommodated on priority, it added. 
 
According to the ministry, there are some 600 Indians in South Sudan, 450 of them in Juba. 
 
So far, nearly 300 Indians have registered -- for the evacuation --&nbsp;with the Indian embassy, official sources said. 
 
(WION and PTI) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
&nbsp;

The two C-17s had been sent to Juba on Thursday to evacuate the more than 300 Indians stranded there

The two C-17 military transport aircraft India sent on Thursday to Juba, the war-torn capital of South Sudan, to evacuate the more than 300 Indians stranded there are expected to land in Delhi at 10 am today. The aircraft will first make a three-hour refuelling stop at Entebbe in Uganda, sources said. From there, they will fly to Thiruvananthapuram in the Indian state of Kerala, and then on to the capital Delhi. External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj had, in a series of tweets, said yesterday: "Indians in South Sudan - Pls move out. We have sent two aircrafts for you. If situation worsens, we will not be able to evacuate u." "South Sudan - My colleague @Gen_VKSingh has landed in Juba to evacuate Indian nationals from there. Operation #SankatMochan." Ahead of his departure in the wee hours of Thursday, Singh had said: "Time to leave.Thank you all for the messages & good wishes. We will do our best to bring back every Indian. Op #SankatMochan." Singh is being accompanied by Amar Sinha, secretary (economic relations) in the external affairs ministry, joint secretary Satbir Singh, and director Anjani Kumar. An official advisory had said yesterday that only Indian nationals with valid Indian travel documents would be allowed to board, that they would be allowed to carry on a maximum of five kilograms of cabin baggage and no check-in pieces. Women and children would be accommodated on priority, it added. According to the ministry, there are some 600 Indians in South Sudan, 450 of them in Juba. So far, nearly 300 Indians have registered -- for the evacuation -- with the Indian embassy, official sources said. (WION and PTI)

Rescue aircraft from South Sudan expected to land in Delhi at 10 am today

A heavily-armed Ugandan military convoy crossed into South Sudan today to evacuate citizens trapped in the capital Juba as fears persist that recent days of intense fighting might reignite despite a ceasefire. 
 
The United Nations has warned of tension and the possibility of fresh fighting in Juba, where a ceasefire has held since late Monday. 
 
A convoy of around 50 trucks escorted by machine gun-mounted armoured vehicles crossed the Ugandan border at Nimule to open up a secure corridor for fleeing civilians on the 200 kilometre Juba-Nimule road. 
 
&quot;We plan to go to Juba to extract 3,000 Ugandans stranded by fighting, but that number may grow as we will evacuate anyone who wants to leave,&quot; said Uganda&#39;s army chief Brigadier Leopold Kyanda. 
 
Kyanda said the mission would likely last &quot;two to three days&quot; but an intelligence officer told AFP some Ugandan troops may remain in Juba. 
 
&quot;Why not? We have the capacity to support the government of South Sudan and we were there before,&quot; said the plain-clothed officer accompanying the convoy. 
 
The Ugandan army joined the conflict in South Sudan soon after it began in December 2013, fighting on the side of President Salva Kiir against a rebel force led by Riek Machar, now the country&#39;s vice president. The troops only pulled-out late last year. 
 
While the situation remained calm in Juba on Thursday concerns remain that fighting might flare once again. 
 
&quot;The current situation in the country remains fluid and uncertain,&quot; UN peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous told the Security Council late Wednesday. 
 
One city, two armies 
 
Four days of intense battles in the capital left hundreds dead and forced around 40,000 to flee their homes. Aid agencies are warning of a worsening humanitarian crisis with a lack of both water and food. 
 
The recent violence in the capital echoed the fighting that triggered the civil war and marks a fresh blow to last year&#39;s deal to end the bitter conflict that began when Kiir accused Machar of plotting a coup. 
 
Kiir is a member of the Dinka tribe, while Machar is a Nuer, and the dispute has split the country along ethnic lines and caused tens of thousands of deaths. 
 
The August 2015 agreement paved the way for Machar&#39;s return to the capital in late April to take up the deputy post in a so-called unity government. 
 
Machar&#39;s return with a 1,400-strong bodyguard meant there were two hostile armies in the city. A shoot-out between Kiir&#39;s and Machar&#39;s guard units triggered the fighting that began on Friday afternoon. 
 
It appears that Kiir&#39;s forces - which outnumbered Machar&#39;s in both troops and heavy weaponry in the city - dominated the battles, with Ladsous stating they were in &quot;full control&quot; of the capital while Machar&#39;s former rebels were &quot;scattered&quot; nearby along the city&#39;s western outskirts. 
 
&quot;Further clashes, therefore, cannot be ruled out,&quot; he said. 
 
Outside Juba there were reports of fighting in the towns of Leer in Unity State and Wau in Western Bahr el Ghazal and of army and rebel forces mobilising around Malakal in Upper Nile. 
 
&quot;We remain very worried about the potential for the resumption of violence and spill-over into other parts of the country,&quot; said Ladsous. 
 
Commercial flights resumed to Juba on Thursday morning, with planes arriving almost empty and leaving full of people desperate to get out of the city. 
 
Specially chartered evacuation flights have been taking foreign nationals out of the country since Wednesday. 
 
(AFP)

Four days of intense battles in the capital have left hundreds dead and forced around 40,000 to flee their homes

A heavily-armed Ugandan military convoy crossed into South Sudan today to evacuate citizens trapped in the capital Juba as fears persist that recent days of intense fighting might reignite despite a ceasefire. The United Nations has warned of tension and the possibility of fresh fighting in Juba, where a ceasefire has held since late Monday. A convoy of around 50 trucks escorted by machine gun-mounted armoured vehicles crossed the Ugandan border at Nimule to open up a secure corridor for fleeing civilians on the 200 kilometre Juba-Nimule road. "We plan to go to Juba to extract 3,000 Ugandans stranded by fighting, but that number may grow as we will evacuate anyone who wants to leave," said Uganda's army chief Brigadier Leopold Kyanda. Kyanda said the mission would likely last "two to three days" but an intelligence officer told AFP some Ugandan troops may remain in Juba. "Why not? We have the capacity to support the government of South Sudan and we were there before," said the plain-clothed officer accompanying the convoy. The Ugandan army joined the conflict in South Sudan soon after it began in December 2013, fighting on the side of President Salva Kiir against a rebel force led by Riek Machar, now the country's vice president. The troops only pulled-out late last year. While the situation remained calm in Juba on Thursday concerns remain that fighting might flare once again. "The current situation in the country remains fluid and uncertain," UN peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous told the Security Council late Wednesday. One city, two armies Four days of intense battles in the capital left hundreds dead and forced around 40,000 to flee their homes. Aid agencies are warning of a worsening humanitarian crisis with a lack of both water and food. The recent violence in the capital echoed the fighting that triggered the civil war and marks a fresh blow to last year's deal to end the bitter conflict that began when Kiir accused Machar of plotting a coup. Kiir is a member of the Dinka tribe, while Machar is a Nuer, and the dispute has split the country along ethnic lines and caused tens of thousands of deaths. The August 2015 agreement paved the way for Machar's return to the capital in late April to take up the deputy post in a so-called unity government. Machar's return with a 1,400-strong bodyguard meant there were two hostile armies in the city. A shoot-out between Kiir's and Machar's guard units triggered the fighting that began on Friday afternoon. It appears that Kiir's forces - which outnumbered Machar's in both troops and heavy weaponry in the city - dominated the battles, with Ladsous stating they were in "full control" of the capital while Machar's former rebels were "scattered" nearby along the city's western outskirts. "Further clashes, therefore, cannot be ruled out," he said. Outside Juba there were reports of fighting in the towns of Leer in Unity State and Wau in Western Bahr el Ghazal and of army and rebel forces mobilising around Malakal in Upper Nile. "We remain very worried about the potential for the resumption of violence and spill-over into other parts of the country," said Ladsous. Commercial flights resumed to Juba on Thursday morning, with planes arriving almost empty and leaving full of people desperate to get out of the city. Specially chartered evacuation flights have been taking foreign nationals out of the country since Wednesday. (AFP)

Ceasefire holds in South Sudan, but fears of fresh fighting persist

Events in South Sudan, where hundreds died in four days of fierce fighting between forces loyal to the country&#39;s rival leaders, are &quot;totally unacceptable&quot;, African Union Commission president Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said Wednesday. 
 
&quot;What is happening again in South Sudan is totally unacceptable,&quot; she said in Rwanda&#39;s capital Kigali ahead of an AU summit due to begin Sunday. 
 
&quot;Governments and leadership are there to protect the vulnerable, to serve the people, not to prey on them and be the cause of their suffering,&quot; Dlamini-Zuma said. 
 
&quot;Hardly two months after the formation of this government of national unity, the belligerents are back in the trenches and the people of South Sudan, instead of celebrating five years of independence, once again are barricaded in their homes or must flee like sheep before the wolves,&quot; she said. 
 
This weekend&#39;s summit will be overshadowed by the ongoing conflict in South Sudan and the protracted political crisis in Burundi, both of which have made the AU appear weak and ineffectual. 
 
(AFP)

'Governments and leadership are there to protect the vulnerable, to serve the people, not to prey on them,' she says

Events in South Sudan, where hundreds died in four days of fierce fighting between forces loyal to the country's rival leaders, are "totally unacceptable", African Union Commission president Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said Wednesday. "What is happening again in South Sudan is totally unacceptable," she said in Rwanda's capital Kigali ahead of an AU summit due to begin Sunday. "Governments and leadership are there to protect the vulnerable, to serve the people, not to prey on them and be the cause of their suffering," Dlamini-Zuma said. "Hardly two months after the formation of this government of national unity, the belligerents are back in the trenches and the people of South Sudan, instead of celebrating five years of independence, once again are barricaded in their homes or must flee like sheep before the wolves," she said. This weekend's summit will be overshadowed by the ongoing conflict in South Sudan and the protracted political crisis in Burundi, both of which have made the AU appear weak and ineffectual. (AFP)

'What is happening again in South Sudan is totally unacceptable,' says AU chief

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday condemned the killing of two Chinese peacekeepers in the revived fighting between South Sudan&#39;s rival army factions in Juba. 
 
&quot;Let me start by expressing my deep condolences to the families and loved ones of all those who have been killed in the fighting that has consumed Juba over the past four days. I condemn the killing of two Chinese peacekeepers and one UN national staff,&quot; the secretary-general told reporters. 
 
&quot;The renewed fighting is outrageous. It is yet another grievous setback. It deepens the country&#39;s suffering;It makes a mockery of commitments to peace. Many people have been killed in heavy fighting. There are growing fears that many more could die in another round of violence,&quot; said&nbsp;Ban. 
 
He urged leaders of South Sudan to do everything they can to end the dispute. 
 
&quot;My message to President Salva Kiir and first Vice President Riek Machar is clear: Do everything in your power to deescalate the hostilities immediately; order your respective forces to withdraw,&quot; said Ban. 
 
South Sudan&#39;s President Salva Kiir on Monday evening has ordered a ceasefire between his government troops and forces loyal to Vice President Riek Machar in the capital Juba. 
 
The UN mission in South Sudan on Monday reported heavy fighting in Juba, including areas close to its compounds in Jebel and Tomping. 
 
The latest round of violence followed deadly clashes between rival factions on Friday and Sunday in the capital city. 
 
South Sudan&#39;s Health Ministry says at least 271 people were killed in Friday&#39;s clash. 
 
The exact number of those killed fighting since Sunday is unknown. 
 
On Sunday, the UN Security Council said in a press statement that the 15-nation UN body condemned in the strongest terms the escalation of fighting in Juba, and they expressed their sympathies and condolences to the families of Chinese peacekeepers who were killed or injured in the attacks. 
 
(Reuters)

The UN mission in South Sudan on Monday reported heavy fighting in Juba, including areas close to its compounds in Jebel and Tomping

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday condemned the killing of two Chinese peacekeepers in the revived fighting between South Sudan's rival army factions in Juba. "Let me start by expressing my deep condolences to the families and loved ones of all those who have been killed in the fighting that has consumed Juba over the past four days. I condemn the killing of two Chinese peacekeepers and one UN national staff," the secretary-general told reporters. "The renewed fighting is outrageous. It is yet another grievous setback. It deepens the country's suffering;It makes a mockery of commitments to peace. Many people have been killed in heavy fighting. There are growing fears that many more could die in another round of violence," said Ban. He urged leaders of South Sudan to do everything they can to end the dispute. "My message to President Salva Kiir and first Vice President Riek Machar is clear: Do everything in your power to deescalate the hostilities immediately; order your respective forces to withdraw," said Ban. South Sudan's President Salva Kiir on Monday evening has ordered a ceasefire between his government troops and forces loyal to Vice President Riek Machar in the capital Juba. The UN mission in South Sudan on Monday reported heavy fighting in Juba, including areas close to its compounds in Jebel and Tomping. The latest round of violence followed deadly clashes between rival factions on Friday and Sunday in the capital city. South Sudan's Health Ministry says at least 271 people were killed in Friday's clash. The exact number of those killed fighting since Sunday is unknown. On Sunday, the UN Security Council said in a press statement that the 15-nation UN body condemned in the strongest terms the escalation of fighting in Juba, and they expressed their sympathies and condolences to the families of Chinese peacekeepers who were killed or injured in the attacks. (Reuters)

Ban Ki-moon condemns killing of 2 Chinese peacekeepers in South Sudan

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson will lift the lid on his days as London mayor to those in 10 Downing Street in his upcoming “unrestrained” memoir titled Unleashed. Publishing house HarperCollins will publish the ex-PM’s new tell-all memoir on October 10 this year.

Of the upcoming publication, Johnson said: "I am honoured that HarperCollins is publishing my personal account of the huge realignment that took place in UK politics in the last 15 years - and what may lie ahead. So stand by for my thoughts on Britain’s future to explode over the publishing world like a much-shaken bottle of champagne.”

Calling the memoir an “honest, unrestrained and deeply revealing book,” HarperCollins commended Johnson’s work as written in an “inimitable style” revealing “the reality as he saw it: unvarnished, uncensored, unleashed.”&nbsp;

However, not everyone is impressed or excited by the announcement.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greeces-summer-tragedy-record-heat-wave-ignites-wildfires-closes-acropolis-and-claims-tourists-lives-733883">Greece's summer tragedy: Record heat wave ignites wildfires, closes Acropolis, and claims tourists' lives</a>&nbsp;

<h2>‘Horror vibes’, ‘fantasy or reality?’: Social media’s scornful remarks</h2>

Social media was quick to scorn and mock at Johnson already, with many making the same joke about whether the book would be displayed under the biography or fiction section.

One wrote on X: "Brace yourselves for a self-serving tale of deception and broken promises!"&nbsp;

While another said: "And then begins the debate for booksellers- do they display it under Biographies or under Fiction." &nbsp;Another user responded: "Fantasy would be my choice."

According to the popular opinion, the main promotional image for the book, has a terrifying cover. Featuring a spooky black and white photo of Johnson with his face in the shadows, the cover has caught netizens’ eyes, and many have dubbed him ‘a comic book villain’.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/britains-labour-party-woos-banks-but-risks-profit-squeeze-733828">Britain's labour party woos banks but risks profit squeeze</a>&nbsp;

<h2>‘Countless scandals; affairs’: Why Johnson’s book is already riddled with controversies</h2>

Johnson served as the UK’s prime minister from 24 July 2019 to 6 September 2022, but his tenure was tainted with manifold controversies and damning scandals.&nbsp;

Some notable incidents include proroguing parliament to avoid scrutiny of his Brexit plans, police investigation over his relationship with the American businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri, the Partygate scandal and groping allegations against former Tory whip Chris Pincher, eventually leading to his resignation as PM.

In addition, the line “what may lie ahead” from his statement hinted that a possible return to frontline politics is on the cards for Johnson, with no lessons learned from the past.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

President Salva Kiir said he was ready to work with his rival, Vice-President Riek Machar, after days of heavy fighting in the capital

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson will lift the lid on his days as London mayor to those in 10 Downing Street in his upcoming “unrestrained” memoir titled Unleashed. Publishing house HarperCollins will publish the ex-PM’s new tell-all memoir on October 10 this year. Of the upcoming publication, Johnson said: "I am honoured that HarperCollins is publishing my personal account of the huge realignment that took place in UK politics in the last 15 years - and what may lie ahead. So stand by for my thoughts on Britain’s future to explode over the publishing world like a much-shaken bottle of champagne.” Calling the memoir an “honest, unrestrained and deeply revealing book,” HarperCollins commended Johnson’s work as written in an “inimitable style” revealing “the reality as he saw it: unvarnished, uncensored, unleashed.” However, not everyone is impressed or excited by the announcement. Also read: Greece's summer tragedy: Record heat wave ignites wildfires, closes Acropolis, and claims tourists' lives ‘Horror vibes’, ‘fantasy or reality?’: Social media’s scornful remarks Social media was quick to scorn and mock at Johnson already, with many making the same joke about whether the book would be displayed under the biography or fiction section. One wrote on X: "Brace yourselves for a self-serving tale of deception and broken promises!" While another said: "And then begins the debate for booksellers- do they display it under Biographies or under Fiction." Another user responded: "Fantasy would be my choice." According to the popular opinion, the main promotional image for the book, has a terrifying cover. Featuring a spooky black and white photo of Johnson with his face in the shadows, the cover has caught netizens’ eyes, and many have dubbed him ‘a comic book villain’. Also read: Britain's labour party woos banks but risks profit squeeze ‘Countless scandals; affairs’: Why Johnson’s book is already riddled with controversies Johnson served as the UK’s prime minister from 24 July 2019 to 6 September 2022, but his tenure was tainted with manifold controversies and damning scandals. Some notable incidents include proroguing parliament to avoid scrutiny of his Brexit plans, police investigation over his relationship with the American businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri, the Partygate scandal and groping allegations against former Tory whip Chris Pincher, eventually leading to his resignation as PM. In addition, the line “what may lie ahead” from his statement hinted that a possible return to frontline politics is on the cards for Johnson, with no lessons learned from the past. (With inputs from agencies)

South Sudan president orders for ceasefire

Gunfire was once again heard in South Sudan&#39;s capital today as former rebels and government soldiers exchanged fire on the outskirts of the city. 
 
&quot;Gunshots, heavily armed exchange UN House area once again; going on now since approx 0825 (0525 GMT),&quot; the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said on Twitter. 
 
The UN runs a camp for people uprooted by the war close to where both former rebels and government soldiers are camped. 
 
Residents fled the area as the UN reported the use of mortars, rocket-propelled grenades and &quot;heavy ground assault weaponry&quot;. 
 
A spokesman for former rebel leader turned vice president Riek Machar blamed government troops. 
 
&quot;Our forces have been attacked at Jebel base,&quot; said James Gatdet Dak, who claimed the attack had been repulsed. &quot;We hope it will not escalate,&quot; he said. 
 
The outbreak of fighting today morning was the first since Friday when brief but heavy exchanges of fire left an estimated 150 soldiers dead on both sides, on the eve of the country&#39;s fifth anniversary of independence.&nbsp; 
 
There were no details of casualties from today&#39;s shooting. 
 
The recent violence in the world&#39;s youngest country represents yet another blow to a shaky peace deal that has so far failed to end the civil war that broke out in December 2013 when President Salva Kiir accused Machar of plotting a coup. 
 
(AFP)

The outbreak of fighting was the first since Friday when brief but heavy exchanges of fire left an estimated 150 soldiers dead on both sides

Gunfire was once again heard in South Sudan's capital today as former rebels and government soldiers exchanged fire on the outskirts of the city. "Gunshots, heavily armed exchange UN House area once again; going on now since approx 0825 (0525 GMT)," the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said on Twitter. The UN runs a camp for people uprooted by the war close to where both former rebels and government soldiers are camped. Residents fled the area as the UN reported the use of mortars, rocket-propelled grenades and "heavy ground assault weaponry". A spokesman for former rebel leader turned vice president Riek Machar blamed government troops. "Our forces have been attacked at Jebel base," said James Gatdet Dak, who claimed the attack had been repulsed. "We hope it will not escalate," he said. The outbreak of fighting today morning was the first since Friday when brief but heavy exchanges of fire left an estimated 150 soldiers dead on both sides, on the eve of the country's fifth anniversary of independence. There were no details of casualties from today's shooting. The recent violence in the world's youngest country represents yet another blow to a shaky peace deal that has so far failed to end the civil war that broke out in December 2013 when President Salva Kiir accused Machar of plotting a coup. (AFP)

Fresh gunfire exchanged by former rebels and soldiers in South Sudan capital

The&nbsp;United Nations Security Council will meet on Sunday at the request of the&nbsp;United States to discuss new fighting in South Sudan&#39;s capital Juba, diplomats said.

Violence erupted in Juba on Sunday and forces loyal to Vice President Riek Machar said his residence had been attacked by President Salva Kiir&#39;s troops, raising fears of a slide back into civil war in the five-year-old nation. 
 
(Reuters)

The Council is meeting on Sunday at the request of the United States to discuss the fighting in the capital Juba

The United Nations Security Council will meet on Sunday at the request of the United States to discuss new fighting in South Sudan's capital Juba, diplomats said. Violence erupted in Juba on Sunday and forces loyal to Vice President Riek Machar said his residence had been attacked by President Salva Kiir's troops, raising fears of a slide back into civil war in the five-year-old nation. (Reuters)

UN Security Council to meet to discuss South Sudan fighting

The death toll from fighting in South Sudan&#39;s capital Juba has climbed to 272 people, including 33 civilians, a source at the country&#39;s ministry of health told Reuters today. 
 
The fighting broke out last week between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and former vice president Riek Machar. Both men have said they did not know what had triggered the latest violence between their factions. 
 
(Reuters)

33 were civilians, a source at the country's health ministry told Reuters

The death toll from fighting in South Sudan's capital Juba has climbed to 272 people, including 33 civilians, a source at the country's ministry of health told Reuters today. The fighting broke out last week between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and former vice president Riek Machar. Both men have said they did not know what had triggered the latest violence between their factions. (Reuters)

Death toll from fighting in South Sudan capital Juba climbs to 272 people

South Sudan marks five years of independence on Saturday with celebrations cancelled in the face of a deepening hunger crisis and fears the world&#39;s youngest country could slide back into war. 
 
Tens of thousands have died in a civil war since December 2013 that has left the economy in ruins, forcing the government to abandon independence celebrations for the first time since secession from Sudan. 
 
The International Crisis Group (ICG) has warned backers of a stalled peace process to act &quot;urgently&quot; to save it &quot;and prevent the country from returning to full-scale combat&quot;. 
 
The conflict has triggered a humanitarian crisis with over two million people forced from their homes and almost five million in need of emergency food, over a third of the population. 
 
&quot;Life is as bad as it has ever been in South Sudan,&quot; said human rights lawyer David Deng, pointing to soaring inflation, rising attacks by gunmen, hunger and intense distrust between rival forces.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;If this situation isn&#39;t salvaged soon, I feel we may be looking at a protracted conflict every bit as bad as the 22-year war&quot; that preceded secession, Deng said. 
 
Prices of goods and services have soared since 2011, with inflation running at almost 300 per cent, and the currency slumping by 90 per cent this year. 
 
&quot;The fact that government does not have money to celebrate the anniversary highlights the magnitude of the economic problem,&quot; said James Alic Garang, an economist with the Juba-based Ebony Center think tank. 
 
After a 1983-2005 civil war, the country split from Sudan on July 9, 2011, following a referendum six months earlier. 
 
Since then South Sudan has fought a brief war with old enemy Sudan over oil, before turning on itself in a civil war that broke out in December 2013. 
 
Rebel chief Riek Machar returned to the capital in April as part of a peace deal which saw him become vice president, forging a unity government with President Salva Kiir.&nbsp;Yet fighting continues. 
 
Babikr Yawa, a mother of three, fled fighting last month in the Kajo-Keji district, close to the border with Uganda. 
 
&quot;We are suffering here. There is no food, no good shelter,&quot; Yawa said. &quot;What we want is that President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar should end the conflict.&quot; 
 
In June, fighting in the town of Wau, now the country&#39;s second city after Malakal, Bor and Bentiu were razed during the war, forced some 88,000 people to flee their homes, with almost 20,000 seeking shelter beside a UN base. 
 
The peace deal is simply being ignored, the ICG said. 
 
&quot;Formerly warring parties are now flouting it and increasingly preparing for widespread conflict,&quot; ICG said.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Unless something is done, it is a matter of only a little time before there is a return to war, and the agreement collapses.&quot; 
 
The mood on the streets is very far from the celebrations of 2011. 
 
Earlier this year UN chief Ban Ki-moon recalled the sense of euphoria, &quot;the pride, the spirit, the hope&quot;, when he witnessed the raising of the new country&#39;s flag at independence. 
 
Speaking after his last visit in February, Ban spoke instead of how &quot;that hope has been betrayed... by those who put power and profit over people&quot; in a speech citing &quot;massive human rights violations and epic corruption&quot;. The economic collapse is driving unrest and threatening peace, aid workers say. 
 
&quot;A peaceful South Sudan cannot be built without solid foundations,&quot; said Oxfam&#39;s country chief Zlatko Gegic. &quot;South Sudan&#39;s economy is in crisis. Without economic reform, its people will continue to suffer and the fragile peace process will be jeopardised.&quot; 
 
A kilogramme of sugar that used to cost eight South Sudanese pounds now costs 30 South Sudanese pounds , while a 50-kilogramme bag of white flour that once sold for 180 South Sudanese pounds , now costs 1,200 South Sudanese pounds . 
 
&quot;We are just living in problems and nothing is good,&quot; said Etisam Ahmed, sitting in a market on the dusty streets of Juba. &quot;We are just here by God&#39;s grace. If you go to the market today and buy something, tomorrow you will find the price has increased. So how can we survive?&quot; 
 
More than 160,000 civilians are living in UN-guarded camps across the country, down from a peak of more than 200,000 at the height of the war, a clear indicator that many feel it is still too dangerous to go home. 
 
South Sudanese say that there is no doubt independence was the right choice, but many are deeply saddened by the turn their nation has taken and are yet to see the benefits of peace. 
 
&quot;I think it will be hard to find a South Sudanese person who regrets independence, despite all that has happened,&quot; Deng said. 
 
&quot;That&#39;s not to say that independence was the silver bullet that people made it out to be at the time. It is clear now that even without the role of Khartoum there, in terms of destabilising South Sudan, we had our own share of issues that needed to be addressed.&quot; 
 
(AFP)

With soaring casualties in the civil war, inflation and a massive food emergency, the world's youngest nation struggles to stand on its feet

South Sudan marks five years of independence on Saturday with celebrations cancelled in the face of a deepening hunger crisis and fears the world's youngest country could slide back into war. Tens of thousands have died in a civil war since December 2013 that has left the economy in ruins, forcing the government to abandon independence celebrations for the first time since secession from Sudan. The International Crisis Group (ICG) has warned backers of a stalled peace process to act "urgently" to save it "and prevent the country from returning to full-scale combat". The conflict has triggered a humanitarian crisis with over two million people forced from their homes and almost five million in need of emergency food, over a third of the population. "Life is as bad as it has ever been in South Sudan," said human rights lawyer David Deng, pointing to soaring inflation, rising attacks by gunmen, hunger and intense distrust between rival forces. "If this situation isn't salvaged soon, I feel we may be looking at a protracted conflict every bit as bad as the 22-year war" that preceded secession, Deng said. Prices of goods and services have soared since 2011, with inflation running at almost 300 per cent, and the currency slumping by 90 per cent this year. "The fact that government does not have money to celebrate the anniversary highlights the magnitude of the economic problem," said James Alic Garang, an economist with the Juba-based Ebony Center think tank. After a 1983-2005 civil war, the country split from Sudan on July 9, 2011, following a referendum six months earlier. Since then South Sudan has fought a brief war with old enemy Sudan over oil, before turning on itself in a civil war that broke out in December 2013. Rebel chief Riek Machar returned to the capital in April as part of a peace deal which saw him become vice president, forging a unity government with President Salva Kiir. Yet fighting continues. Babikr Yawa, a mother of three, fled fighting last month in the Kajo-Keji district, close to the border with Uganda. "We are suffering here. There is no food, no good shelter," Yawa said. "What we want is that President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar should end the conflict." In June, fighting in the town of Wau, now the country's second city after Malakal, Bor and Bentiu were razed during the war, forced some 88,000 people to flee their homes, with almost 20,000 seeking shelter beside a UN base. The peace deal is simply being ignored, the ICG said. "Formerly warring parties are now flouting it and increasingly preparing for widespread conflict," ICG said. "Unless something is done, it is a matter of only a little time before there is a return to war, and the agreement collapses." The mood on the streets is very far from the celebrations of 2011. Earlier this year UN chief Ban Ki-moon recalled the sense of euphoria, "the pride, the spirit, the hope", when he witnessed the raising of the new country's flag at independence. Speaking after his last visit in February, Ban spoke instead of how "that hope has been betrayed... by those who put power and profit over people" in a speech citing "massive human rights violations and epic corruption". The economic collapse is driving unrest and threatening peace, aid workers say. "A peaceful South Sudan cannot be built without solid foundations," said Oxfam's country chief Zlatko Gegic. "South Sudan's economy is in crisis. Without economic reform, its people will continue to suffer and the fragile peace process will be jeopardised." A kilogramme of sugar that used to cost eight South Sudanese pounds now costs 30 South Sudanese pounds , while a 50-kilogramme bag of white flour that once sold for 180 South Sudanese pounds , now costs 1,200 South Sudanese pounds . "We are just living in problems and nothing is good," said Etisam Ahmed, sitting in a market on the dusty streets of Juba. "We are just here by God's grace. If you go to the market today and buy something, tomorrow you will find the price has increased. So how can we survive?" More than 160,000 civilians are living in UN-guarded camps across the country, down from a peak of more than 200,000 at the height of the war, a clear indicator that many feel it is still too dangerous to go home. South Sudanese say that there is no doubt independence was the right choice, but many are deeply saddened by the turn their nation has taken and are yet to see the benefits of peace. "I think it will be hard to find a South Sudanese person who regrets independence, despite all that has happened," Deng said. "That's not to say that independence was the silver bullet that people made it out to be at the time. It is clear now that even without the role of Khartoum there, in terms of destabilising South Sudan, we had our own share of issues that needed to be addressed." (AFP)

Little to celebrate as South Sudan turns five

Lord&#39;s Resistance Army rebels (LRA) have kidnapped 17 people from a village in eastern Central African Republic, a senior local official said on Thursday. 
 
The rebels are notorious for mutilating civilians and kidnapping children for use as fighters. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for the LRA&#39;s messianic leader, Joseph Kony, and other senior commanders. 
 
The rebels struck on Monday, snatching three people in the morning and forcing them to carry their goods before releasing them in the evening, said Ghislain Kolengo, prefect of Haut Mbomou region. 
 
&quot;Very early (on Tuesday), they attacked Kadjema village and kidnapped 17 people who are still in captivity. I hope that our forces in the area and the Ugandans will find these people and bring them back,&quot; Kolengo told Reuters. 
 
The population then fled the town, he said. 
 
The LRA is from northern Uganda but was driven out by a military offensive a decade ago. Today, its fighters roam a poorly policed area straddling the borders between Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. 
 
All three countries have faced their own conflicts and Uganda, another regional neighbour, said last week it planned to withdraw by the end of the year its troops involved in an operation to hunt down LRA rebels. 
 
The LRA has been weakened but its fighters still attack civilians. It has abducted nearly 350 this year, according to the LRA Crisis Tracker, which documents rebel attacks. 
 
Meanwhile, at least 11 were killed in clashes in the north of the country involving former rebel group called the Seleka, according to a brigade commander in the town of Ngaoudaye. 
 
The first clash happened on Sunday and led to the deaths of seven Seleka members who were leading cattle through the town en route for Cameroon. The former rebels took revenge, killing six civilians, said the commander, who declined to be named. 
 
Central African Republic descended into chaos in March 2013 when the predominantly Muslim Seleka seized power, triggering reprisals by &quot;anti-balaka&quot; Christian militias who drove tens of thousands of Muslims from the south. 
 
President Faustin-Archange Touad?ra took office in March after elections aimed at drawing a line under the crisis. 
(Reuters)

The rebels are notorious for mutilating civilians and kidnapping children for use as fighters. They have abducted 350 this year

Lord's Resistance Army rebels (LRA) have kidnapped 17 people from a village in eastern Central African Republic, a senior local official said on Thursday. The rebels are notorious for mutilating civilians and kidnapping children for use as fighters. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for the LRA's messianic leader, Joseph Kony, and other senior commanders. The rebels struck on Monday, snatching three people in the morning and forcing them to carry their goods before releasing them in the evening, said Ghislain Kolengo, prefect of Haut Mbomou region. "Very early (on Tuesday), they attacked Kadjema village and kidnapped 17 people who are still in captivity. I hope that our forces in the area and the Ugandans will find these people and bring them back," Kolengo told Reuters. The population then fled the town, he said. The LRA is from northern Uganda but was driven out by a military offensive a decade ago. Today, its fighters roam a poorly policed area straddling the borders between Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. All three countries have faced their own conflicts and Uganda, another regional neighbour, said last week it planned to withdraw by the end of the year its troops involved in an operation to hunt down LRA rebels. The LRA has been weakened but its fighters still attack civilians. It has abducted nearly 350 this year, according to the LRA Crisis Tracker, which documents rebel attacks. Meanwhile, at least 11 were killed in clashes in the north of the country involving former rebel group called the Seleka, according to a brigade commander in the town of Ngaoudaye. The first clash happened on Sunday and led to the deaths of seven Seleka members who were leading cattle through the town en route for Cameroon. The former rebels took revenge, killing six civilians, said the commander, who declined to be named. Central African Republic descended into chaos in March 2013 when the predominantly Muslim Seleka seized power, triggering reprisals by "anti-balaka" Christian militias who drove tens of thousands of Muslims from the south. President Faustin-Archange Touad?ra took office in March after elections aimed at drawing a line under the crisis. (Reuters)

Lord's Resistance Army rebels kidnap 17 in Central African Republic

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