South Sudan clashes: Salva Kiir and Riek Machar order ceasefire

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.
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.
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.
It is not clear if the violence has subsided. Heavy gunfire continued to be heard in the capital after President Kiir’s ceasefire order came into effect at 1800 local time (1500 GMT) on Monday.
“President Salva Kiir is determined to carry on his partnership with Riek Machar,” presidential spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny told Reuters.
Mr Machar then told a radio station his forces would observe a reciprocal ceasefire from 2000 local time.
“I’m informing all the troops that have been defending themselves to respect this ceasefire and to remain where they are now,” he told Eye Radio Juba.read more: BBC