South Sudan clashes: 'Dozens of soldiers killed' in Juba
Correspondent | Tuesday December 17, 2013 17:22
Fresh violence broke out on Tuesday, a day after the government said it had quashed an attempted coup.
Thousands of people have sought shelter at two UN compounds in the capital.
On Monday, President Salva Kiir blamed soldiers loyal to his former deputy Riek Machar - who was dismissed in July - for the violence.
He said the clashes began when uniformed personnel opened fire at a meeting of the ruling party, former rebel force the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), on Sunday night.
Curfew in place
The violence broke out on Sunday and continued into Monday, until the government said it was back in full control.
But fresh gunfire erupted on Tuesday near the presidential palace and many other areas of Juba.
Ajak Bullen, a doctor at a military hospital, said at least 66 soldiers had died in the clashes.
'So far, we have lost seven soldiers who died while they were waiting for medical attention and a further 59 who were killed outside,' he told local media.
'They are there at the mortuary and we are arranging for a mass burial,' he told local radio.
Another hospital, Juba Teaching Hospital, had earlier reported 26 deaths - and it is unclear whether there is any overlap between the figures.
So far the government has only confirmed 26 deaths.
It is also unclear whether those who died were fighting for or against the president.
A night-time curfew is in place, and at least four former ministers have been arrested since Sunday's alleged coup.
The government said it was looking for Mr Machar who had gone into hiding.
President Kiir sacked Mr Machar, along with his whole cabinet, in July, reportedly following a power struggle.
Mr Machar, who has said he plans to contest the presidential elections in 2015, now leads a dissident faction within the SPLM.
Hilde Johnson, the UN's special representative in the country, has urged all sides to exercise restraint and warned against community-motivated violence.
'At a time when unity among South Sudanese is more needed than ever, I call on the leaders of this new country and all political factions and parties, as well as community leaders, to refrain from any action that fuels ethnic tensions and exacerbates violence,' she said in a statement.
Ms Johnson's deputy, Toby Lanzer, said in a tweet that up to 13,000 people had sought shelter at two UN bases. Many of the civilians are woman and children.
Correspondents say UN staff have hunkered down in a bunker.
Juba's airport remains closed and telephone connections have been severely curtailed.
Emma Jane Drew, the acting director of aid agency Oxfam's South Sudan branch, said she and her team were unable to leave their compound in Juba because of 'continued shooting'.
The UN and the US embassy advised their citizens to stay at home. Both denied rumours they were harbouring any political or military figures.
South Sudan - the world's youngest country and one of the least developed - has struggled to achieve a stable government since becoming independent from Sudan in 2011.
The independence referendum was intended to end a decade-long conflict, led by the SPLM, against the north.
But the oil-rich country remains ethnically and politically divided, with many armed groups active.
(BBC)