World
South Sudan 'back to war', says VP spokesman
South Sudan is "back to war", a spokesman for the vice-president has told the BBC, as rival factions clash and hundreds have been reported killed.South Sudan is "back to war", a spokesman for the vice-president has told the BBC, as rival factions clash and hundreds have been reported killed.
Forces loyal to Vice-President Riek Machar say government troops attacked their positions in the capital, Juba.
Col William Gatjiath, Mr Machar's military spokesman, told the BBC President Salva Kiir "isn't serious" about a peace agreement.
The government has not responded to Col Gatjiath's comments.
He said "hundreds" of Mr Machar's troops had died on Sunday, and that troops loyal to Mr Machar were advancing on Juba from different directions.
UN representatives have reported heavy exchanges of gunfire near their headquarters in the suburb of Jebel.
A tweet by the UN's official mission in South Sudan, posted on Sunday afternoon, said fighting had lasted several hours and that "all sides responsible have proven relentless".
The clashes follow days of fighting in the world's newest country between supporters of Mr Kiir and Mr Machar.
At least 150 people were killed in fighting on Friday, before calm was restored on Saturday. Local radio station Radio Tamazuj reported on Sunday that the death toll from those clashes may be as high as 271.