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Rwanda airline resumes flights to South Sudan

Xinhua, July 21, 2016 Adjust font size:

National carrier RwandAir plying the Kigali-Juba route has announced it will resume flight to the South Sudanese capital, Juba following a ceasefire of fresh infighting of rival forces.

On July 7, 2016, renewed clashes broke out in Juba between forces of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) loyal to President Salva Kiir, and the SPLA in Opposition (SPLA-IO) loyal to First Vice President, Riek Machar.

The infighting left hundreds of soldiers killed on both sides while thousands of civilians fled the capital Juba.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, John Mirenge, chief executive of RwandAir said that flights to Juba resumed on Wednesday, after the South Sudan government announced a truce.

"We are pleased to announce the recommencement of our flights to and from Juba effective Wednesday after confirming that it is safe to fly to the country which has been volatile for close to two weeks," he added.

During the 27th African Union (AU) summit that ended this week in the Rwanda's Capital, Kigali, African leaders backed plans to deploy regional troops to South Sudan in a bid to bring peace and security in the war ton country.

RwandAir operates four weekly flights to Juba.

The airline's weekly flights to the South Sudanese capital started with a departure at 13:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Endit