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South Sudan President Salva Kiir sacks army chief | South Sudan President Salva Kiir sacks army chief |
(about 3 hours later) | |
South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has sacked the head of the army following recent rebel advances. | |
The decree announcing the immediate removal of Gen James Hoth Mai did not give any reason. | |
The country has been in turmoil since December. Last week rebels seized the oil hub of Bentiu. | The country has been in turmoil since December. Last week rebels seized the oil hub of Bentiu. |
Meanwhile the UN has accused the government of providing "erroneous information" regarding a massacre of hundreds of civilians in the town. | Meanwhile the UN has accused the government of providing "erroneous information" regarding a massacre of hundreds of civilians in the town. |
South Sudan Minister of Information Michael Lueth was wrong to tell reporters that residents seeking protection had been barred from entering a UN base, the UN mission said in a statement. | South Sudan Minister of Information Michael Lueth was wrong to tell reporters that residents seeking protection had been barred from entering a UN base, the UN mission said in a statement. |
After rebel forces captured Bentiu on 15 and 16 April, they targeted hundreds of people who had taken refuge inside a mosque, a church and a hospital, and killed them because of their ethnicity, the UN Mission in South Sudan (Unmiss) said. | After rebel forces captured Bentiu on 15 and 16 April, they targeted hundreds of people who had taken refuge inside a mosque, a church and a hospital, and killed them because of their ethnicity, the UN Mission in South Sudan (Unmiss) said. |
"At no point did the mission ever turn away any civilians who came to its camp to seek protection and instead opened its gates to all unarmed civilians," it added. | "At no point did the mission ever turn away any civilians who came to its camp to seek protection and instead opened its gates to all unarmed civilians," it added. |
Setbacks | Setbacks |
Correspondents say last week's killings are among the most shocking since the conflict began. | Correspondents say last week's killings are among the most shocking since the conflict began. |
The rebels say the retreating government forces were responsible. | The rebels say the retreating government forces were responsible. |
Gen Hoth, is from the same Nuer ethnic group as rebel leader and former Vice-President Riek Machar. | |
His replacement, Gen Paul Malong, is an ethnic Dinka, liked President Kiir. | |
South Sudan analyst James Copnall says by sacking Gen President Kiir is sending an uncompromising signal to his enemies. | |
A January ceasefire deal has failed to halt fighting that began in December after Mr Kiir accused Mr Machar of plotting to stage a coup. | A January ceasefire deal has failed to halt fighting that began in December after Mr Kiir accused Mr Machar of plotting to stage a coup. |
More than a million people have been forced from their homes since the violence started. | More than a million people have been forced from their homes since the violence started. |
'Cycle of violence' | 'Cycle of violence' |
Peace talks, which were due to resume on Wednesday in neighbouring Ethiopia, have been delayed until 27 April. | Peace talks, which were due to resume on Wednesday in neighbouring Ethiopia, have been delayed until 27 April. |
Herve Ladsous, the UN's head of peacekeeping, accused both sides of failing to stop the "cycle of violence" on Wednesday. | Herve Ladsous, the UN's head of peacekeeping, accused both sides of failing to stop the "cycle of violence" on Wednesday. |
Speaking at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, he said: "Neither party is ready to in any way cease the hostilities. They do not give indication that they sincerely want to participate in the peace talks." | Speaking at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, he said: "Neither party is ready to in any way cease the hostilities. They do not give indication that they sincerely want to participate in the peace talks." |
Bentiu, capital of the oil-rich Unity State, has changed hands several times during the conflict. | Bentiu, capital of the oil-rich Unity State, has changed hands several times during the conflict. |
Control of the oilfields is crucial because South Sudan gets about 90% of its revenue from oil. | Control of the oilfields is crucial because South Sudan gets about 90% of its revenue from oil. |
The UN expressed outrage at an attack last week on one of its camps in Bor in Jonglei State, saying it could "constitute a war crime". | The UN expressed outrage at an attack last week on one of its camps in Bor in Jonglei State, saying it could "constitute a war crime". |
That attack by armed youths left at least 58 dead, including children. | That attack by armed youths left at least 58 dead, including children. |
Both Mr Kiir and Mr Machar have prominent supporters from various communities, but there have been numerous reports of rebels killing Dinkas and the army targeting Nuers. | Both Mr Kiir and Mr Machar have prominent supporters from various communities, but there have been numerous reports of rebels killing Dinkas and the army targeting Nuers. |
The UN has about 8,500 peacekeepers in South Sudan, which became the world newest state after seceding from Sudan in 2011. | The UN has about 8,500 peacekeepers in South Sudan, which became the world newest state after seceding from Sudan in 2011. |