Fighting continues in S Sudan despite ceasefire efforts

Fighting continued in the oil-producing state of Unity, despite ongoing efforts by regional leaders to get both sides to agree to an immediate ceasefire, a spokesperson for South Sudan's military has said.

Military spokesperson Colonel Philip Aguer said that government troops were forced to repel attacks by forces loyal to Riek Machar.

According to news24, Machar is the former vice president, who is blamed for what the government insists was an attempted coup on 15 December.

East African leaders said at the end of a summit that South Sudan's government agreed to end hostilities against rebels who control some parts of the country.

Machar was not invited to the summit in Nairobi, throwing into doubt the government's cease-fire offer, the report added.