S. Sudan's Machar Accuses Govt Of Breaching Ceasefire

South Sudanese rebel leader Riek Machar on Monday accused President Salva Kiir of violating a ceasefire agreement and attacking rebel-held positions only days after signing a landmark peace deal.



"We have concerns that the ceasefire has not been maintained because the government is unable to prevent its troops from continuing to fight in Unity State," Machar said in exclusive statements to Anadolu Agency.



While Juba has yet to issue a statement on Machar's assertions, government officials who have spoken to the media have denied the claims.



Machar signed a seminal peace deal – ostensibly aimed at ending South Sudan's 20-month-old conflict – in Addis Ababa on Aug. 17.



Kiir, bowing to enormous regional and international pressure, likewise signed onto the agreement in Juba on Aug. 26.



According to Machar, the government has recently sent troops to Upper Nile State, especially to the city of Malakal, in violation of the peace deal, which calls for rival forces to maintain their current positions.



Machar also cited alleged reports coming out of Juba that some 600 political prisoners had been slaughtered by government troops the day before Kiir signed the peace deal.



"We want an investigation into this mass murder," he told Anadolu Agency.



Machar nevertheless went on to voice hope that the newly-signed peace deal would hold.



South Sudan has been plunged in turmoil since late 2013, when President Kiir accused Machar, his sacked vice president, of leading a failed coup against his government.



In the 20 months since, tens of thousands have reportedly been killed in fighting between the two sides, while millions have reportedly been displaced. - Etiyopya