South Sudan president orders cease-fire after clashes

South Sudan president orders cease-fire after clashes

More than 270 people have reportedly been killed in clashes in Juba since Friday

By Parach Mach

JUBA, South Sudan (AA) - South Sudan's president Salva Kiir has ordered a unilateral cease-fire in capital Juba after several days of fierce battle between his forces and ex-rebels loyal to leader turned vice president Riek Machar.

Fierce fighting has erupted in the South Sudanese capital since Friday, with heavy weapons such as tanks, helicopter gunships and artillery involved, leaving more than 270 people killed and thousands displaced.

South Sudan Information Minister Michael Makuei said on state-owned television that "all the commanders of these forces are hereby directed to cease any hostility and abide by this order, control their forces, and protect civilian population and their property."

"All the commanders deployed at checkpoints within Juba city, shall reduce and limit such checkpoints to only essential and important installations and institutions."

South Sudan, recovering from two years of civil war after President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy-turned-rebel leader Riek Machar of a coup attempt in December 2013, was again plunged into violence last Friday by forces loyal to the same leaders.

The renewed fighting comes barely two months after the formation of a transitional government of national unity.

On Monday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon issued a statement saying he was shocked and appalled by the escalating violence in Juba and demanded that Kiir and Machar stop the violence.

"This senseless violence is unacceptable and has the potential of reversing the progress made so far in the peace process," Ban said.

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