South Sudan at peace 1 day after battles violated new cease-fire

NAIROBI, Kenya – The spokesman for South Sudan’s military says no fighting is being reported one day after battles broke the new cease-fire deal.

Col. Philip Aguer said Monday that the situation in Bentiu – the capital of an oil-producing state – is stable. He said government troops were in full control.

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Aguer said the government was trying to arrange a trip by monitors from IGAD – a regional bloc of nations trying to broker peace – to visit Bentiu. Aguer said the monitors would verify that rebels launched a Sunday attack there, breaking Friday’s new cease-fire.

Aguer said government forces are committed to the cease-fire but he questioned if forces loyal to former Vice-President Riek Machar are committed.

A rebel spokesman on Sunday accused the government of breaking the cease-fire.