Monday 11 July 2016

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South Sudan Crisis, Ceasefire called for.

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir and first Vice-President Riek Machar have ordered a ceasefire after days of intense fighting in the capital, Juba.

BBC reports that Since Thursday, more than 200 people are said to have died in clashes between the rival leaders' forces.
The violence began with a shootout, and has since involved the use of heavy artillery, tanks and helicopters.
The UN Security Council had urged both sides to stop fighting, amid fears for the safety of millions of civilians.
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In a unanimous statement, the council condemned the violence "in the strongest terms" and expressed "particular shock and outrage" at attacks on UN sites. It also called for additional peacekeepers to be sent to South Sudan.
President Kiir's ceasefire order came into effect at 1800 local time (1500 GMT) on Monday.

A spokesman for Mr Machar said fighters loyal to the former rebel leader had also declared a ceasefire, effective from 2000 local time.
It is not clear if the violence has subsided. Reuters news agency reported heavy gunfire in Juba after Mr Kiir's declaration.
Earlier in the day, residents of Juba told the BBC they were staying indoors amid reports of looting and the sound of gunfire from the streets.
There were also reports of tanks on the streets of Juba and of clashes close to the airport. The US embassy warned of "serious fighting" taking place.

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