Accessibility links

Breaking News

South Sudan Army Says It Retakes Key State Capital


South Sudan's army says it has retaken a key state capital from rebels.

Army spokesman Philip Aguer tells VOA that the army recaptured Bentiu, the capital of oil-producing Unity State, at 2:30 Friday afternoon, local time.

There has been been no independent confirmation of the report.

Aguer also said government forces are now marching on Bor, the rebel-held capital of Jonglei state.

More than 1,000 people have been killed in South Sudan since fighting between supporters of President Salva Kiir and his rival, Riek Machar, began nearly a month ago.

The U.N. refugee agency said Friday that more than 230,000 South Sudanese are now internally displaced and another 43,000 have fled to neighboring countries, with the bulk going to Uganda.



The agency said Uganda is now receiving between 4,000 and 5,000 South Sudanese per day.

Peace talks mediated by the East African regional bloc IGAD continued Friday in Ethiopia. The talks remained deadlocked, with the government refusing to release 11 political detainees as demanded by the rebels.
XS
SM
MD
LG