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Kenya calls for ceasefire in South Sudan amid intense fighting

Xinhua, July 10, 2016 Adjust font size:

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday called on South Sudan's leaders to end hostilities in Juba, suggesting heavy weaponry be moved out of civilian areas of the capital city where clashes have escalated in the past three days.

State House spokesman Manoah Esipisu told journalists in Nairobi that President Kenyatta had contacted President Salva Kiir over the clashes between rival army factions in Juba.

Heavy exchanges of fire erupted in Juba early Sunday following Friday's clashes between forces loyal to President Kiir and his deputy Riek Machar outside the presidential palace in which more than 100 soldiers were killed.

"It is with profound regret that we have observed the renewed fighting unravel in South Sudan," President Kenyatta said in a statement.

Kenya and other East African countries facilitated peace talks between President Kiir and former rebel leader Machar during more than two years of civil war in South Sudan that erupted in late 2013.

"We join the region, and the global community, in calling for a cessation to these brutal actions that endanger the lives of ordinary citizens," President Kenyatta said.

There was no immediate word on casualties in Sunday's gun battle. A spokesman for Machar said Machar-led forces had been attacked by troops of President Kiir.

President Kenyatta expressed grave concern about the fighting in Juba in the past days and urged South Sudan's government to take immediate steps to restore calm.

"We hope stability will soon be restored for the sake of the people of South Sudan," President Kenyatta said.

He urged Kiir and Machar to play their leadership roles during this critical time by working closely together to resolve the latest crisis.

He suggested heavy weaponry and huge contingents of soldiers urgently be moved out of civilian areas of the capital Juba.

South Sudan descended into civil war in December 2013 after fighting between forces loyal to President Kiir and his then sacked deputy Machar in Juba. Machar denied he was planning a coup but then mobilized a rebel force. Tens of thousands were killed in the war.

A peace deal signed by the two men last August under UN pressure led to the formation of a national unity government in April, with Machar returning to his old post. Endit