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Dozens of civilians die as renewed fighting in South Sudan continues

Fighting has broken out in Juba, South Sudan, between forces controlled by President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar.

272 people have been killed, including 33 civilians.

The UN Security Council has condemned the violence and asked for both sides to agree to end the fighting and stop violence from spreading.

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UN Security Council condemns fighting in South Sudan

Renewed fighting is between President Salva Kiir (left) and First Vice President Riek Machar (right) Credit: Reuters

The UN Security Council has "condemned in the strongest terms" the escalation of fighting in Juba, the capital city of South Sudan, which began on July 7.

In a statement released by the council, they urged an immediate end to the fighting and demanded that both sides do all they can to prevent violence spreading.

It also urged that both sides commit to a "full and immediate implementation of the peace agreement, including the permanent ceasefire and redeployment of military forces".

US demands an immediate end to South Sudan violence

Fighting has broken out once again in South Sudan Credit: Reuters

The United States has called for an immediate end to renewed fighting in South Sudan's capital city Juba, in which dozens of civilians have been killed.

In a press statement, the US State Department said it "strongly condemns" the fighting, and calls on both sides to "immediately restrain their forces" from fighting further.

The United States strongly condemns the latest outbreak of fighting in Juba today between forces aligned with President Salva Kiir Mayardit and those aligned with First Vice President Riek Machar Teny, including reports we have that civilian sites may have been attacked.

We again call on both leaders and their political allies and commanders to immediately restrain their forces from further fighting, return them to barracks, and prevent additional violence and bloodshed.

The United States is determined to ensure appropriate measures are taken to hold accountable those responsible for continuing fighting and violations of international humanitarian law, including attacks on the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and targeting of civilians.

We are in active communication with African Union and regional leaders at the most senior levels; all are working jointly to press the South Sudanese leaders and their commanders to end the fighting. We have asked for an emergency session of the UN Security Council to address the situation.

– US State Department

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