South Sudanese rebels allied to ex-vice president Riek Machar sought to retake control of a key town on Monday, the Army said, as hopes faded that an upcoming ceasefire deadline will be obeyed in the violence-wracked nation.
UN peacekeepers said they were concerned over claims thousands of armed youths from Machar’s Nuer tribe were readying to attack Bor, the capital of Jonglei State, amid international efforts to stop violence spiralling into all-out civil war.
“The forces of Riek Machar are now advancing on Bor, but we are confident we will hold them off and protect the town,” army spokesman Philip Aguer told AFP. “Yesterday there were heavy clashes at Gadiang north of Bor... The people in Bor are fearing an attack at any time.”
It was not clear how many of the gunmen remained in the thick bush around Bor, but the army statement appeared to contradict claims by Govt spokesman Michael Makuei on Sunday that “most of them have returned home”.