South Sudan govt. accuses rival forces of truce violation

The South Sundanese government has accused forces loyal to former Vice President Riek Machar of attacking its forces in a key northeastern town in violation of a recent ceasefire.

Michael Makuei, a government spokesman said on Saturday that positions of the South Sudanese soldiers had come under attack by rebel forces in the strategic town of Malakal over the past hours.

"The rebels yesterday attacked our position in Malakal but they were repulsed and this morning they again attacked Malakal," media outlets quoted Makuei as saying, adding, "This is a violation of the cessation of hostilities of the agreement and it should be recorded."

A recent truce brokered by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) takes effect about sunset on Saturday to end the 20-month civil war. The deal gave a 72-hour deadline for a permanent ceasefire.

However, both the regional IGAD bloc and Machar's spokesman, Nyarji Roman, have denied ceasefire violation by rebel forces, saying no clashes had been reported on Saturday morning.

The developments come as two powerful rebel generals, Peter Gadet and Gathoth Gatkuoth, split from Machar earlier this month, accusing him of seeking power for himself. The administration of President Salva Kiir has said the split is a key reason they doubt the peace deal can be effective.

At least seven ceasefires have already been agreed and violated in South Sudan.

Machar signed the most recent agreement on August 17 while the South Sudanese president signed the peace deal some ten days later, on August 26, also producing a list of reservations he said would have to be addressed in order for the agreement to be finalized.

Under the agreement, all fighting must stop immediately, child soldiers and prisoners of war must be released, and foreign forces must leave the country within 45 days.

A transitional government of national unity will also be formed within the next three months, with Machar regaining his previous post as first vice president.

South Sudan plunged into chaos in December 2013, when fighting erupted outside the capital, Juba, between troops loyal to Kiir and defectors led by his former deputy, Machar.

The 20-month-long violence has left thousands of people dead and forced almost two million people from their homes.

On Friday, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) warned South Sudan that it would consider imposing an arms embargo and additional sanctions if the country’s warring sides fail to implement a new peace deal.

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