The United States has said an outbreak of violence that has left hundreds dead in South Sudan “must stop”.
Anyone impeding efforts to end the fighting would be held fully accountable, the White House warned. The UN has called for an immediate arms embargo, as well as attack helicopters to strengthen its peacekeeping force.
Days of fighting between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar in the capital, Juba, has left hundreds dead.
A ceasefire was called on Monday but it is not clear whether the violence has subsided. Heavy gunfire continued to be heard in the capital after President Kiir’s ceasefire order came into effect at 1800 local time (1500 GMT) on Monday.
Two Chinese UN peacekeepers and one South Sudanese UN worker are among the hundreds of dead.
The US’s National Security Adviser, Susan Rice, said: “This senseless and inexcusable violence – undertaken by those who yet again are putting self-interest above the well-being of their country and people – puts at risk everything the South Sudanese people have aspired to over the past five years.”
