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-25487084
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
South Sudan rebels control oil-state capital Bentiu | South Sudan rebels control oil-state capital Bentiu |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The capital of South Sudan's oil-rich Unity State, Bentiu, has fallen to troops supporting former Vice-President Riek Machar, the army has confirmed. | The capital of South Sudan's oil-rich Unity State, Bentiu, has fallen to troops supporting former Vice-President Riek Machar, the army has confirmed. |
"Bentiu is not in our hands," said military spokesman Philip Aguer. | "Bentiu is not in our hands," said military spokesman Philip Aguer. |
Clashes erupted between rival troops a week ago. President Salva Kiir accused Mr Machar of attempting a coup. | Clashes erupted between rival troops a week ago. President Salva Kiir accused Mr Machar of attempting a coup. |
A UN official in the country told the BBC of an atmosphere of fear and desperation as violence escalates, and summary killings on the streets. | |
Toby Lanzer, the UN Humanitarian Co-ordinator in South Sudan, said that as well as people seeking refuge in UN compounds there were many more hiding out in the bush. | |
"I'm quite concerned that in a few days' time we won't be talking about tens of thousands, we'll be talking about hundreds of thousands directly affected," he said. | |
"It's really very moving to see people just asking: 'Can you please keep me alive?'" | |
Mr Lanzer added that there was a problem not just with fighting by conventional armies but with groups of youths who he said were simply "out of control". | |
Bor fighting | |
On Saturday Mr Machar said his forces controlled Unity State - whose oilfields are crucial to South Sudan's economy. | |
Those reports could not be independently confirmed. However on Sunday Col Aguer told reporters: "Bentiu is in the hands of a commander who has declared support for Machar." | |
He added that the number of people or wounded in the fighting was unclear. | He added that the number of people or wounded in the fighting was unclear. |
Unity, a state on the border with Sudan, produces much of South Sudan's oil, which accounts for more than 95% of the country's economy. | Unity, a state on the border with Sudan, produces much of South Sudan's oil, which accounts for more than 95% of the country's economy. |
Meanwhile the government says it is trying to retake the town of Bor in Jonglei State - another regional capital that has fallen to the rebels. | |
The state has seen fierce fighting in recent days. | |
Two Indian peacekeepers and at least 11 civilians were killed in an attack on a UN compound in Akobo, Jonglei, on Thursday. | |
UN pullout | UN pullout |
And on Saturday, four US service personnel were wounded when their aircraft were shot at, delaying an operation to evacuate US citizens from Bor. | |
A day later, the US state department said US and other citizens were evacuated on civilian helicopters. | |
Also on Sunday, the UN mission Unmiss said it had begun relocating staff from the capital Juba to the Ugandan city of Entebbe. | |
Juba has been tense since the unrest began last weekend. | Juba has been tense since the unrest began last weekend. |
Resident Mogga Lado told the BBC: "I was buying some things for my children in the market on Tuesday when I saw two people dressed in normal civilian clothes shot dead in front of me by people in military clothing. | Resident Mogga Lado told the BBC: "I was buying some things for my children in the market on Tuesday when I saw two people dressed in normal civilian clothes shot dead in front of me by people in military clothing. |
"I don't know if they were the army or rebels. I didn't wait to see." | "I don't know if they were the army or rebels. I didn't wait to see." |
Mr Machar told the BBC on Saturday that he was prepared to negotiate with the government if politicians arrested this week were released and transferred to a neutral country such as Ethiopia. | Mr Machar told the BBC on Saturday that he was prepared to negotiate with the government if politicians arrested this week were released and transferred to a neutral country such as Ethiopia. |
Mr Kiir also agreed to negotiations after meeting African mediators on Friday. | Mr Kiir also agreed to negotiations after meeting African mediators on Friday. |
President Kiir, a member of the majority Dinka ethnic group, sacked Mr Machar, who is from the Nuer community, in July. | President Kiir, a member of the majority Dinka ethnic group, sacked Mr Machar, who is from the Nuer community, in July. |
The violence which broke out in Juba last weekend has since spread, pitting gangs of Nuer and Dinka against each other. | The violence which broke out in Juba last weekend has since spread, pitting gangs of Nuer and Dinka against each other. |
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said on Sunday that he was "very concerned at the situation in South Sudan". | UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said on Sunday that he was "very concerned at the situation in South Sudan". |
He added that it was "vital that all leaders urge restraint on their supporters and commit to a political resolution of their differences". | He added that it was "vital that all leaders urge restraint on their supporters and commit to a political resolution of their differences". |