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S. Sudan rivals fight to capture key oil town as leaders push for peace
South Sudanese troops loyal to President Salva Kiir pictured at Bor airport after they re-captured it from rebel forces, on December 25, 2013. Government forces and rebels in South Sudan were on December 27, 2013 battling for control of a key oil town as regional powers met in an effort to broker an end to the worsening civil war.
What you need to know:
- Government forces and rebels in South Sudan were on Friday battling for control of a key oil town as regional powers met in an effort to broker an end to the worsening civil war.
- In the Kenyan capital Nairobi, regional leaders gathered for a fresh attempt to draw up a peace plan that could broker an end to the nearly two weeks of fighting, which has left thousands dead and tens of thousands of others seeking protection with the UN amid a wave of ethnic violence.
- The fighting in South Sudan started on December 15 after Kiir accused Machar, whom he sacked in July, of attempting a coup.
Government forces and rebels in South Sudan were on Friday battling for control of a key oil town as regional powers met in an effort to broker an end to the worsening civil war.
Witnesses reported heavy fighting overnight in Malakal, capital of the oil-producing Upper Nile State, and both government forces allied to President Salva Kiir and rebels loyal to ex-Vice President Riek Machar insisted they were in control after days of street battles.
