Sudanese rebels on Sunday released at least 125 prisoners they had captured in fighting with government forces, most of them soldiers, an AFP journalist said.

Their release was secured thanks to mediation from Uganda, while the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) played a facilitating role.

The rebel Sudan People&#39;s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) had captured the prisoners in Blue Nile and South Kordofan states, where the group has been fighting Sudanese government forces for years.

The longest-held prisoners had been captured in June 2009 and the most recent about six months ago.&nbsp;

While the ICRC said 125 people had been freed, Sudanese military spokesman Brigadier Ahmed Khalifa al-Shami put the number at 127 -- including 109 soldiers and 18 civilians.

&quot;The Sudanese army recognises this as a positive step towards achieving peace in the country,&quot; Shami said in a statement.

Ethnic minority rebels in Blue Nile and South Kordofan have been fighting government forces since 2011, accusing President Omar al-Bashir&#39;s Arab-dominated government of politically and economically marginalising the two regions.

Fighting in the two areas and in Darfur has left tens of thousands of people dead and displaced millions.

Khartoum announced a unilateral ceasefire in June 2016 in all three conflict zones, which it extended by six months in January.

UN officials say that for years Blue Nile and South Kordofan have been no-go areas for aid officials, leaving thousands of people without access to humanitarian relief.

In a statement, the ICRC said it had &quot;facilitated the release and repatriation of 125 people&quot;.&nbsp;

The agency said it had transported the released prisoners from South Sudan to Entebbe in Uganda and onward to Sudan.

&quot;The entire transfer operation took place over four days,&quot; the ICRC said, adding that it had followed a request from Kampala, Khartoum, Juba and the SPLM-N.

&quot;We are very pleased that these people will finally return to their families,&quot; the ICRC&#39;s head of delegation in Sudan, Gerard Peytrignet, said.

&#39;No bad treatment&#39;&nbsp;

Speaking to AFP, SPLM-N Secretary General Yasir Arman described the prisoners&#39; release as a humanitarian gesture of goodwill, &quot;to bring happiness to their families&quot;.

Mohamed Saied Hassan of the Sudanese foreign ministry told a press conference that 19 of the men were civilian miners caught up in an internal SPLM-N dispute over control of gold mines in Blue Nile state.&nbsp;

However, Arman claimed that the 19 men were members of a militia allied to the government.

The prisoner release negotiations were chaired by officials from the Ugandan government and included direct talks between Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni and Bashir.&nbsp;

Thanking the Ugandan government for mediating the release, Hassan said: &quot;This operation paves the way for more cooperation between the two countries.&quot;

Speaking to AFP on the tarmac at Entebbe airport about 35 kilometres (22 miles) from Kampala as he and his men prepared to board the flight to Khartoum, Colonel Lirifat Abdala Ahmed, the most senior captive officer, said he had been treated well since his capture in May 2013.&nbsp;

&quot;There was no bad treatment, no bad behaviour. I have served 25 years in the Sudanese army and now I want to go home to rest,&quot; a smiling Ahmed said.&nbsp;

(AFP)

Their release was secured thanks to mediation from Uganda while Red Cross played the facilitating role

Sudanese rebels on Sunday released at least 125 prisoners they had captured in fighting with government forces, most of them soldiers, an AFP journalist said. Their release was secured thanks to mediation from Uganda, while the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) played a facilitating role. The rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) had captured the prisoners in Blue Nile and South Kordofan states, where the group has been fighting Sudanese government forces for years. The longest-held prisoners had been captured in June 2009 and the most recent about six months ago. While the ICRC said 125 people had been freed, Sudanese military spokesman Brigadier Ahmed Khalifa al-Shami put the number at 127 -- including 109 soldiers and 18 civilians. "The Sudanese army recognises this as a positive step towards achieving peace in the country," Shami said in a statement. Ethnic minority rebels in Blue Nile and South Kordofan have been fighting government forces since 2011, accusing President Omar al-Bashir's Arab-dominated government of politically and economically marginalising the two regions. Fighting in the two areas and in Darfur has left tens of thousands of people dead and displaced millions. Khartoum announced a unilateral ceasefire in June 2016 in all three conflict zones, which it extended by six months in January. UN officials say that for years Blue Nile and South Kordofan have been no-go areas for aid officials, leaving thousands of people without access to humanitarian relief. In a statement, the ICRC said it had "facilitated the release and repatriation of 125 people". The agency said it had transported the released prisoners from South Sudan to Entebbe in Uganda and onward to Sudan. "The entire transfer operation took place over four days," the ICRC said, adding that it had followed a request from Kampala, Khartoum, Juba and the SPLM-N. "We are very pleased that these people will finally return to their families," the ICRC's head of delegation in Sudan, Gerard Peytrignet, said. 'No bad treatment' Speaking to AFP, SPLM-N Secretary General Yasir Arman described the prisoners' release as a humanitarian gesture of goodwill, "to bring happiness to their families". Mohamed Saied Hassan of the Sudanese foreign ministry told a press conference that 19 of the men were civilian miners caught up in an internal SPLM-N dispute over control of gold mines in Blue Nile state. However, Arman claimed that the 19 men were members of a militia allied to the government. The prisoner release negotiations were chaired by officials from the Ugandan government and included direct talks between Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni and Bashir. Thanking the Ugandan government for mediating the release, Hassan said: "This operation paves the way for more cooperation between the two countries." Speaking to AFP on the tarmac at Entebbe airport about 35 kilometres (22 miles) from Kampala as he and his men prepared to board the flight to Khartoum, Colonel Lirifat Abdala Ahmed, the most senior captive officer, said he had been treated well since his capture in May 2013. "There was no bad treatment, no bad behaviour. I have served 25 years in the Sudanese army and now I want to go home to rest," a smiling Ahmed said. (AFP)

Sudanese rebels free 125 captured soldiers and civilians

The United States will ease some financial sanctions against Sudan on Friday for efforts to help fight terrorism, although it will remain on a list of state sponsors of terrorism, two White House officials told AFP.

Washington is set to announce that it will &quot;ease some US sanctions on trade and investment&quot;, one of the officials from the outgoing administration of President Barack Obama said Thursday.

&quot;We are taking these actions in recognition of positive steps the government of Sudan has taken,&quot; the second official said.

However, the decision &quot;doesn&#39;t affect (President Omar) al-Bashir&#39;s war crimes nor does it lift the state sponsor of terror&quot; designation, which also includes Syria and Iran, the official added.

Washington in November extended sanctions against Sudan for a year, saying it could lift them at any time if the African country were to do more to tackle terror.

Sudan has been subject to a US trade embargo since 1997 for its alleged support for Islamist groups. Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was based in Khartoum from 1992 to 1996.

In recent years, the government&#39;s scorched earth tactics against ethnic minority rebels in Darfur have been cited as a reason not to lift the sanctions.

But relations have improved lately, with Secretary of State John Kerry meeting with his Sudanese counterpart twice, while the US envoy for Sudan and South Sudan, Donald Booth, visiting Khartoum several times.

That prompted speculation about possible sanctions relief.

Still, the Darfur conflict -- which has killed 300,000 people and displaced some 2.5 million since it began in 2003, according to the UN -- has continued to dog relations.

Al-Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes and genocide related to the conflict. He denies the charges.

Washington refused Bashir a visa to attend the UN General Assembly in 2015, citing the ICC arrest warrant.

(AFP)

However it will remain on a list of state sponsors of terrorism, two White House officials told AFP

The United States will ease some financial sanctions against Sudan on Friday for efforts to help fight terrorism, although it will remain on a list of state sponsors of terrorism, two White House officials told AFP. Washington is set to announce that it will "ease some US sanctions on trade and investment", one of the officials from the outgoing administration of President Barack Obama said Thursday. "We are taking these actions in recognition of positive steps the government of Sudan has taken," the second official said. However, the decision "doesn't affect (President Omar) al-Bashir's war crimes nor does it lift the state sponsor of terror" designation, which also includes Syria and Iran, the official added. Washington in November extended sanctions against Sudan for a year, saying it could lift them at any time if the African country were to do more to tackle terror. Sudan has been subject to a US trade embargo since 1997 for its alleged support for Islamist groups. Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was based in Khartoum from 1992 to 1996. In recent years, the government's scorched earth tactics against ethnic minority rebels in Darfur have been cited as a reason not to lift the sanctions. But relations have improved lately, with Secretary of State John Kerry meeting with his Sudanese counterpart twice, while the US envoy for Sudan and South Sudan, Donald Booth, visiting Khartoum several times. That prompted speculation about possible sanctions relief. Still, the Darfur conflict -- which has killed 300,000 people and displaced some 2.5 million since it began in 2003, according to the UN -- has continued to dog relations. Al-Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes and genocide related to the conflict. He denies the charges. Washington refused Bashir a visa to attend the UN General Assembly in 2015, citing the ICC arrest warrant. (AFP)

US to lift some sanctions against Sudan: Officials

&nbsp;

Amnesty International today accused Sudan&#39;s government of human rights violations and chemical attacks in Darfur.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;An Amnesty International investigation has gathered horrific evidence of the repeated use of what are believed to be chemical weapons against civilians, including very young children, by Sudanese government forces in one of the most remote regions of Darfur over the past eight months,&quot; Amnesty said in an official statement.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;Between 200 and 250 people may have died as a result of exposure to the chemical weapons agents, with many or most being children,&quot; the report states according to AFP.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Tirana Hassan, the organisation&#39;s crisis director said 32 villages are affected in Jebel Marra. Bombs and rockets containing chemicals were dropped on villages. &nbsp;&quot;Many photos show young children covered in lesions and blisters. Some were unable to breath and vomiting blood,&quot; Hassan said.

&nbsp;

She added that&nbsp;&quot;horrific burns and skin reactions to the agents... and some of the first responders and caregivers have told us that even when they touch the skin, it actually falls off in large chunks.&quot;

 
In a video posted by Amnesty, chemical weapons expert Jennifer Knaack said that symptoms differed suggesting various chemicals were used. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

The victims were exposed to vesicants, or blister agents, such as sulfur mustard, lewisite or nitrogen mustard, experts said. Within minutes of coming in contact with the chemicals people experienced dizziness, vomiting and skin problems.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;When (the bomb) fell there were some flames and then dark smoke,&quot; AFP quoted a woman saying whose baby was affected in the attack.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

She said the bombing had caused vomiting, dizziness, skin problems and headaches.

&nbsp;

&quot;The baby is not recovering ... he is swollen ... he has blisters and wounds.&quot;

&nbsp;

Human rights violations

Amnesty drafted a letter to the UN Human Rights Council on September 7, which states:&nbsp;&quot; Civilians in South Darfur and particularly Jebel Marra continue to face attacks and abuses in 2016 by the 
RSF (Rapid Support Forces) in &quot;Operation Decisive Summer&quot; offensives.&nbsp;In January 2016, the Sudanese government renewed aerial bombardments and ground attacks on presumed rebel locations.&quot;

&nbsp;

During the RSF operations, civilians were raped, killed, beaten and their homes were burnt, according to the rights group.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The government is not allowing humanitarian aid from reaching the affected villages, the report concluded.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The international organisation says the attack was targeting the rebel Sudan Liberation Army, which is led by Abdul Wahid (SLA/AW).&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The fight between the Sudanese government and the rebel forces have been going on for the past 13 years, which has killed 300,000 people and 2.5 million displaced, according to the UN.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP)

Amnesty's report states that more than 200 people have been killed in the chemical attacks and majority are children

Amnesty International today accused Sudan's government of human rights violations and chemical attacks in Darfur. "An Amnesty International investigation has gathered horrific evidence of the repeated use of what are believed to be chemical weapons against civilians, including very young children, by Sudanese government forces in one of the most remote regions of Darfur over the past eight months," Amnesty said in an official statement. "Between 200 and 250 people may have died as a result of exposure to the chemical weapons agents, with many or most being children," the report states according to AFP. Tirana Hassan, the organisation's crisis director said 32 villages are affected in Jebel Marra. Bombs and rockets containing chemicals were dropped on villages. "Many photos show young children covered in lesions and blisters. Some were unable to breath and vomiting blood," Hassan said. She added that "horrific burns and skin reactions to the agents... and some of the first responders and caregivers have told us that even when they touch the skin, it actually falls off in large chunks." In a video posted by Amnesty, chemical weapons expert Jennifer Knaack said that symptoms differed suggesting various chemicals were used. The victims were exposed to vesicants, or blister agents, such as sulfur mustard, lewisite or nitrogen mustard, experts said. Within minutes of coming in contact with the chemicals people experienced dizziness, vomiting and skin problems. "When (the bomb) fell there were some flames and then dark smoke," AFP quoted a woman saying whose baby was affected in the attack. She said the bombing had caused vomiting, dizziness, skin problems and headaches. "The baby is not recovering ... he is swollen ... he has blisters and wounds." Human rights violations Amnesty drafted a letter to the UN Human Rights Council on September 7, which states: " Civilians in South Darfur and particularly Jebel Marra continue to face attacks and abuses in 2016 by the RSF (Rapid Support Forces) in "Operation Decisive Summer" offensives. In January 2016, the Sudanese government renewed aerial bombardments and ground attacks on presumed rebel locations." During the RSF operations, civilians were raped, killed, beaten and their homes were burnt, according to the rights group. The government is not allowing humanitarian aid from reaching the affected villages, the report concluded. The international organisation says the attack was targeting the rebel Sudan Liberation Army, which is led by Abdul Wahid (SLA/AW). The fight between the Sudanese government and the rebel forces have been going on for the past 13 years, which has killed 300,000 people and 2.5 million displaced, according to the UN. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Amnesty International accuses Sudan of chemical attacks in Darfur

Floods and heavy rain in Sudan have killed 76 and destroyed thousands of homes in recent days, the interior minister said today. 
 
Ismat Abdelrahman said 13 of Sudan&#39;s 18 provinces had been affected by flooding. 
 
The Nile is at its highest levels in more than a century, swollen by heavy rain in many parts of the East African country, according to the water and irrigation ministry. 
 
Interior ministry statistics showed downpours and flooding had completely destroyed 3,206 houses, and damaged 3,048 others in the eastern province of Kassala, one of the worst-hit areas. 
 
Sudan suffers from an underdeveloped infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, which makes it harder to cope with heavy rain and natural disasters. 
 
(Reuters)

Interior ministry statistics show the downpour and flooding have destroyed 3,206 houses and damaged 3,048 in the eastern province of Kassala

Floods and heavy rain in Sudan have killed 76 and destroyed thousands of homes in recent days, the interior minister said today. Ismat Abdelrahman said 13 of Sudan's 18 provinces had been affected by flooding. The Nile is at its highest levels in more than a century, swollen by heavy rain in many parts of the East African country, according to the water and irrigation ministry. Interior ministry statistics showed downpours and flooding had completely destroyed 3,206 houses, and damaged 3,048 others in the eastern province of Kassala, one of the worst-hit areas. Sudan suffers from an underdeveloped infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, which makes it harder to cope with heavy rain and natural disasters. (Reuters)

Sudan floods kill 76, destroy thousands of homes

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has fired five ministers, according to an official decree, in a move that removed figures known for close ties to ex-rebel leader Riek Machar. 
 
Under a peace agreement signed in August 2015, Kiir headed the government while Machar was given the position of first vice president. Thirty ministerial posts were distributed between their two parties and others. 
 
But a presidential decree issued on Tuesday showed that cabinet posts including the interior and petroleum portfolios in the oil-rich state had been filled with allies of the new vice president, Taban Deng Gai. 
 
Deng, who leads a faction of Machar&#39;s SPLM/A (IO) party, was named vice president by Kiir after being fired as a minister by his own party leader.&nbsp;Among those removed were water resources minister Mabior Garang, the son of the figurehead of South Sudan&#39;s independence movement, and the minister for higher education, Peter Adwok, an influential ex-rebel. 
 
Their sacking strains the delicate balance of ethnicities in the government, analysts said.&nbsp;Garang is an opposition figure but a Dinka like the president, while Adwok is a Shilluk, a group which has now lost an important voice in government. 
 
Kiir did however retain powerful rebel figure Alfred Lado Gore in his government, moving him from the interior ministry to housing.&nbsp;Machar ally Gore hails from the Equatoria region, where the capital, Juba, is located and which is seen as a hotbed for opposition recruitment. 
 
The move also comes just days after Lam Akol, a minister representing another opposition grouping, resigned with the intention of organising the government`s opponents into a more consolidated force, he said, while declaring the peace deal dead. 
 
South Sudan&#39;s political tensions date back to December 2013, just over two years after the state achieved independence from Sudan. 
 
Kiir accused Machar of planning a coup, setting off a cycle of retaliatory killings that degenerated into a ruinous civil war. &nbsp;The two agreed a peace deal and power-sharing arrangement in August 2015, but problems have lurked beneath the surface. 
 
Renewed fighting in July led the UN Security Council to consider a visit this month to Sudan and South Sudan to push for a return to peace efforts. Machar has not returned to Juba since the clashes. 
 
(AFP)

Among those removed were water resources minister Mabior Garang and the minister for higher education, Peter Adwok

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has fired five ministers, according to an official decree, in a move that removed figures known for close ties to ex-rebel leader Riek Machar. Under a peace agreement signed in August 2015, Kiir headed the government while Machar was given the position of first vice president. Thirty ministerial posts were distributed between their two parties and others. But a presidential decree issued on Tuesday showed that cabinet posts including the interior and petroleum portfolios in the oil-rich state had been filled with allies of the new vice president, Taban Deng Gai. Deng, who leads a faction of Machar's SPLM/A (IO) party, was named vice president by Kiir after being fired as a minister by his own party leader. Among those removed were water resources minister Mabior Garang, the son of the figurehead of South Sudan's independence movement, and the minister for higher education, Peter Adwok, an influential ex-rebel. Their sacking strains the delicate balance of ethnicities in the government, analysts said. Garang is an opposition figure but a Dinka like the president, while Adwok is a Shilluk, a group which has now lost an important voice in government. Kiir did however retain powerful rebel figure Alfred Lado Gore in his government, moving him from the interior ministry to housing. Machar ally Gore hails from the Equatoria region, where the capital, Juba, is located and which is seen as a hotbed for opposition recruitment. The move also comes just days after Lam Akol, a minister representing another opposition grouping, resigned with the intention of organising the government`s opponents into a more consolidated force, he said, while declaring the peace deal dead. South Sudan's political tensions date back to December 2013, just over two years after the state achieved independence from Sudan. Kiir accused Machar of planning a coup, setting off a cycle of retaliatory killings that degenerated into a ruinous civil war. The two agreed a peace deal and power-sharing arrangement in August 2015, but problems have lurked beneath the surface. Renewed fighting in July led the UN Security Council to consider a visit this month to Sudan and South Sudan to push for a return to peace efforts. Machar has not returned to Juba since the clashes. (AFP)

South Sudan leader fires 5 ministers close to ex-rebel leader

The Indian Government on Thursday morning launched the &#39;Sankat Mochan&#39; operation to evacuate Indian nationals from South Sudan. 
 
India sent two C-17 military transport aircraft to war torn South Sudan&#39;s capital city Juba to evacuate Indians stranded there, an exercise which is being led by Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh. 
 
Singh had also supervised the evacuation of nearly 4,000 Indians from conflict-ridden Yemen last year. 
 
An official advisory said that only Indian nationals with valid Indian travel document will be allowed boarding with maximum five kilogram cabin baggage and no check-in pieces. It also said that women and children will be accommodated on priority. 
 
Apart from Singh, Amar Sinha, Secretary (Economic Relations), will also travel to Juba. 
 
India has been closely monitoring developments in South Sudan, which is witnessing heavy fighting between former rebels and government soldiers in several parts of the city. A task force has been set up for the purpose. 
 
According to the ministry, there are around 600 Indians in South Sudan, of which 450 are in Juba and nearly 150 are outside the capital. 
 
(DNA)

India sent two C-17 military transport aircraft to war torn South Sudan's capital city Juba to evacuate Indians stranded there

The Indian Government on Thursday morning launched the 'Sankat Mochan' operation to evacuate Indian nationals from South Sudan. India sent two C-17 military transport aircraft to war torn South Sudan's capital city Juba to evacuate Indians stranded there, an exercise which is being led by Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh. Singh had also supervised the evacuation of nearly 4,000 Indians from conflict-ridden Yemen last year. An official advisory said that only Indian nationals with valid Indian travel document will be allowed boarding with maximum five kilogram cabin baggage and no check-in pieces. It also said that women and children will be accommodated on priority. Apart from Singh, Amar Sinha, Secretary (Economic Relations), will also travel to Juba. India has been closely monitoring developments in South Sudan, which is witnessing heavy fighting between former rebels and government soldiers in several parts of the city. A task force has been set up for the purpose. According to the ministry, there are around 600 Indians in South Sudan, of which 450 are in Juba and nearly 150 are outside the capital. (DNA)

India launches operation to rescue nationals from South Sudan

South Sudan&#39;s vice president has withdrawn with his troops to outside of Juba but is not planning for war, his spokesman said on Wednesday, as a ceasefire that ended heavy fighting with the president&#39;s forces entered its third day. 
 
Forces loyal to longtime rivals Vice President Riek Machar&#39;s forces and President Salva Kiir fought street battles in the capital during a five-day period until a ceasefire was reached on Monday. 
 
The events mirror those of December 2013, when a two-year civil war began after Machar, sacked from his post as Kiir&#39;s deputy, withdrew his forces from Juba and launched a full-scale insurgency. 
 
&quot;We had to move away from our base (in Juba) to avoid further confrontation,&quot; Machar&#39;s spokesman James Gatdet Dak in Nairobi told Reuters, saying he was in contact with Machar&#39;s forces. &quot;He is around the capital. I cannot say the location.&quot; 
 
It was not clear what caused the latest rift between the two men who have long jostled for power, even before South Sudan&#39;s independence from Sudan in 2011. The flare-up was apparently sparked on Thursday when Kiir&#39;s forces stopped and demanded to search vehicles with Machar&#39;s troops. 
 
Gatdet Dak said Machar would stay away from Juba until ceasefire details were worked out. 
 
&quot;He is not returning to the bush, nor is he organising for war,&quot; the spokesman said, calling for an outside force to be deployed to act as a &quot;buffer&quot; between Machar and Kiir&#39;s forces. 
 
Other demands from Machar&#39;s side are to implement a joint command, an integrated armed force and a joint police force securing Juba, all issues laid out in a peace deal but not yet implemented, said Gatdet Dak. 
 
In another apparent parallel with 2013, Uganda said it was sending troops to South Sudan but this time they would only help evacuate Ugandans, Uganda government spokesman Ofwono Opondo said. In 2013, they had entered at Kiir&#39;s invitation to support his government as well as help with evacuation, Opondo said. 
 
The fighting has left many South Sudanese angry and uncertain. 
 
&quot;Both Kiir and Machar should be held responsible for the killing of their own people, and for their soldiers who looted our property and killed my husband,&quot; said a tearful Juba resident Rose Juru, 28. 
 
Kiir and Machar signed the peace deal in August 2015, but spent months arguing over details. Machar returned to Juba in April and was reinstated as Kiir&#39;s deputy, a move that was meant to help cement the process. 
 
Regional African states have suggested sending in forces to beef up the UN mission UNMISS with a tougher mandate to enforce peace, instead of a narrow focus to protect civilians. 
 
Gatdet Dak said Kiir&#39;s helicopter gunships had pursued Machar&#39;s forces and attacked Machar&#39;s residence in his compound in Juba on Tuesday, although he said Machar had left Juba by that time. 
 
The president&#39;s spokesman and other officials in Kiir&#39;s SPLA army could not immediately be reached for comment. They previously said they were committed to upholding the ceasefire, implementing the peace agreement and working with Machar. 
 
(Reuters)

The events mirror those of Dec 2013 when the VP, sacked from his post, moved out of the capital and began a 2-year civil war with his boss

South Sudan's vice president has withdrawn with his troops to outside of Juba but is not planning for war, his spokesman said on Wednesday, as a ceasefire that ended heavy fighting with the president's forces entered its third day. Forces loyal to longtime rivals Vice President Riek Machar's forces and President Salva Kiir fought street battles in the capital during a five-day period until a ceasefire was reached on Monday. The events mirror those of December 2013, when a two-year civil war began after Machar, sacked from his post as Kiir's deputy, withdrew his forces from Juba and launched a full-scale insurgency. "We had to move away from our base (in Juba) to avoid further confrontation," Machar's spokesman James Gatdet Dak in Nairobi told Reuters, saying he was in contact with Machar's forces. "He is around the capital. I cannot say the location." It was not clear what caused the latest rift between the two men who have long jostled for power, even before South Sudan's independence from Sudan in 2011. The flare-up was apparently sparked on Thursday when Kiir's forces stopped and demanded to search vehicles with Machar's troops. Gatdet Dak said Machar would stay away from Juba until ceasefire details were worked out. "He is not returning to the bush, nor is he organising for war," the spokesman said, calling for an outside force to be deployed to act as a "buffer" between Machar and Kiir's forces. Other demands from Machar's side are to implement a joint command, an integrated armed force and a joint police force securing Juba, all issues laid out in a peace deal but not yet implemented, said Gatdet Dak. In another apparent parallel with 2013, Uganda said it was sending troops to South Sudan but this time they would only help evacuate Ugandans, Uganda government spokesman Ofwono Opondo said. In 2013, they had entered at Kiir's invitation to support his government as well as help with evacuation, Opondo said. The fighting has left many South Sudanese angry and uncertain. "Both Kiir and Machar should be held responsible for the killing of their own people, and for their soldiers who looted our property and killed my husband," said a tearful Juba resident Rose Juru, 28. Kiir and Machar signed the peace deal in August 2015, but spent months arguing over details. Machar returned to Juba in April and was reinstated as Kiir's deputy, a move that was meant to help cement the process. Regional African states have suggested sending in forces to beef up the UN mission UNMISS with a tougher mandate to enforce peace, instead of a narrow focus to protect civilians. Gatdet Dak said Kiir's helicopter gunships had pursued Machar's forces and attacked Machar's residence in his compound in Juba on Tuesday, although he said Machar had left Juba by that time. The president's spokesman and other officials in Kiir's SPLA army could not immediately be reached for comment. They previously said they were committed to upholding the ceasefire, implementing the peace agreement and working with Machar. (Reuters)

South Sudan vice president withdraws from capital Juba, but is not 'organising for war'

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