Machar's troops threaten to attack Juba as fresh fighting breaks out in South Sudan

Forces loyal to embattled South Sudan’s first vice- president Riek Machar have issued a warning indicating that they will attack Juba if a third force is not deployed in the country.

James Gadet, Machar’s spokesman said on Sunday that they are waiting for orders form the commander in chief -Machar to give orders and move on Juba.

Already, fighting erupted in the north west of the country over the weekend which left at least 9 people dead.

South Sudan’s opposition says nine killed in renewed fighting https://t.co/cZWwmj1ZER pic.twitter.com/b0jZxvgdEi

— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) August 2, 2016

Machar’s deputy spokesperson Nyarji Jermlili Roman, confirmed the deaths which occured when troops loyal to Machar ambushed a vehicle ferrying government troops in the Central Equatorial state.

However, government military spokesperson Lul Ruai Koang, downplayed the weekend fight saying there was small fighting between th SPLA and Machar’s forces.

Last week, President Salva Kiir replaced sworn in a new vice president ,Taban Deng Gai to replace Machar.

This after Machar declined to meet an ultimatum issued by Kiir asking him to return to Juba, for both parties to work together and restore peace in the country.

So far , Machar’s whereabouts remain unknown but his spokesperson claims that he is around Juba despite media reports that he had fled.

The UN refugee Agence (UNHCR) estimates that about 60,000 people have fled fighting over the past three weeks crossing over to neighbouring countries.

60,000 people have fled #SouthSudan since violence broke out in Juba last month https://t.co/iQnRLvS5xh pic.twitter.com/7PAsTIghjO

— UN Refugee Agency (@Refugees) August 2, 2016

On Tuesday, a leading opposition minister Dr. Lam Akol who held the agriculture portfolio resigned from the government over what he termed as a “no more peace agreement.”

South Sudan minister Lam Akol resigns saying there is “no more peace agreement”https://t.co/V4e6pbVlfu pic.twitter.com/QA7Z2n5foN

— BBC Africa (@BBCAfrica) August 2, 2016

Both sides have been trading accusations putting a peace deal signed in August 2015 at risk.

The United Nations on Monday condemned reports of widespread sexual violence including rape and gang rape of women and young girls by soilders and unidentified men.

The UN further called for calm on all sides ,urged the leaders to do everything in their power to de-escalate the hostilities and is considering imposing an arms embargo in Africa’s youngest nation.

Meanwhile the UN Security Council extended the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) until August 12.

Reuters, News Agencies