This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-25456862

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
South Sudan attackers storm UN base South Sudan attackers storm UN base
(35 minutes later)
The United Nations says it fears casualties after attackers forced their way into a UN peacekeeping base in South Sudan's Jonglei state. The United Nations says it fears casualties after attackers forced their way into a peacekeeping base in South Sudan's Jonglei state.
Rebels from the country's second-largest ethnic group, the Nuer, attacked the base, where thousands of civilians have sought refuge. Rebels from the country's second-largest ethnic group, the Nuer, attacked the base, targeting civilians of the majority Dinka ethnic community.
President Salva Kiir, a member of the Dinka ethnic group, has accused his ex-deputy Riek Machar of mounting a coup - a claim he denies. South Sudan has been in turmoil since President Salva Kiir accused his ex-deputy Riek Machar of mounting a coup.
The unrest has killed some 500 people. The unrest, which broke out on Sunday, has killed some 500 people so far.
The conflict first erupted in the capital Juba but has since spread.
President Salva Kiir, from the Dinka, has blamed the violence on a group of soldiers who support Mr Machar, a Nuer.
The president accuses them of trying to take power by force on Sunday night in a coup attempt by Mr Machar - something Mr Machar denies.
The UN has expressed concern about a possible civil war between the Dinka and the Nuer.The UN has expressed concern about a possible civil war between the Dinka and the Nuer.
However, the government insists the clashes are over power and politics, noting that both sides involved in the clashes include leaders from different tribes.
"We condemn in strongest possible terms attempts to depict the coup as ethnic strife," a government statement said.
'We want him to leave'
UN spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters on Thursday that "fighting took place" at the compound in Jonglei.UN spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters on Thursday that "fighting took place" at the compound in Jonglei.
"We fear there may have been some fatalities but can't confirm who and how many," he said."We fear there may have been some fatalities but can't confirm who and how many," he said.
A delegation of East African foreign ministers earlier arrived in the capital Juba to try to mediate in the crisis. The UN peacekeeping mission is sheltering civilians in five state capitals, including Juba and Bor. The attack on the Jonglei compound came after Nuer rebels seized control of Bor. Even before the unrest, Bor was seen as one of the most volatile areas of South Sudan.
The UN peacekeeping mission is sheltering civilians in five state capitals, including Juba, Bor and Bentiu, the main town of the oil-producing state of Unity. Earlier, there were reports of gun battles in the town, as renegade officers fought with troops still loyal to the president.
The attack on the compound in Jonglei comes after Nuer rebels seized control of the key town of Bor. In an interview with Radio France Internationale, Mr Machar called on the army to remove the president.
"We want him to leave, that's it," he told the station.
Mr Machar was sacked by Mr Kiir in July.
The UN has called for political dialogue to end the crisis, and the Ugandan government says its president has been asked by the UN to mediate between the two sides.
A delegation of East African foreign ministers earlier arrived in Juba to try to mediate in the crisis.
South Sudan has struggled to achieve a stable government since becoming independent in 2011.
The oil-rich country remains ethnically and politically divided, with many armed groups active.