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| South Sudan troops break ceasefire - Riek Machar | South Sudan troops break ceasefire - Riek Machar |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| South Sudan's rebel leader has accused the government of violating a ceasefire hours after it came into effect. | South Sudan's rebel leader has accused the government of violating a ceasefire hours after it came into effect. |
| Riek Machar said the army attacked his forces in two northern states, allegations which the military denies. | Riek Machar said the army attacked his forces in two northern states, allegations which the military denies. |
| President Salva Kiir, under the threat of sanctions from the UN, signed a peace agreement on Wednesday, despite "serious reservations". | President Salva Kiir, under the threat of sanctions from the UN, signed a peace agreement on Wednesday, despite "serious reservations". |
| Several ceasefires to end the brutal 20-month conflict in the world's youngest nation have failed to hold. | Several ceasefires to end the brutal 20-month conflict in the world's youngest nation have failed to hold. |
| The ceasefire came into effect at midnight local time on Saturday (21:00 GMT). | The ceasefire came into effect at midnight local time on Saturday (21:00 GMT). |
| Mr Machar said his troops remained committed to the ceasefire despite the reported attacks in northern Unity and Upper Nile states, but would act in self-defence if the offensive continues. | |
| "The government is unable to control its own troops," Mr Machar said. | |
| He also accused the government of launching a "belligerent convoy", including gunships, on the River Nile from the capital Juba. | |
| The convoy had been bombarding villages as it headed through rebel-held territory on its way north, he said. | |
| Army spokesman Col Philip Aguer denied that there were any government troops operating in the areas where the alleged attacks took place. | |
| "These are mere fabrications by the rebels. We don't have any report of clashes," he is quoted by AFP news agency as saying. | |
| The government has also accused Mr Machar of failing to properly order his troops to stop fighting. | |
| Tens of thousands of people have died and more than two million have been displaced from their homes since the conflict started in December 2013. | Tens of thousands of people have died and more than two million have been displaced from their homes since the conflict started in December 2013. |
| In a unanimous statement last week, the UN Security Council called on both parties "to adhere to the permanent ceasefire immediately", or face an arms embargo and other sanctions. | In a unanimous statement last week, the UN Security Council called on both parties "to adhere to the permanent ceasefire immediately", or face an arms embargo and other sanctions. |
| Under the agreement, the rebels will be given the post of first vice-president, a position Mr Machar held until 2013 when he was dismissed by President Kiir. | Under the agreement, the rebels will be given the post of first vice-president, a position Mr Machar held until 2013 when he was dismissed by President Kiir. |
| South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011. | South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011. |
| Fighting broke out in December 2013 after President Kiir accused his sacked deputy Mr Machar of plotting a coup. | Fighting broke out in December 2013 after President Kiir accused his sacked deputy Mr Machar of plotting a coup. |
| Mr Machar denied the charges, but then mobilised a rebel force to fight the government. | Mr Machar denied the charges, but then mobilised a rebel force to fight the government. |
| Key points of the peace deal: | Key points of the peace deal: |
| Full PDF of agreement | Full PDF of agreement |
| Five obstacles to lasting peace | Five obstacles to lasting peace |
| Will peace deal be worth the wait? |