Fierce overnight artillery and gunfire fight has left more than 100 soldiers dead in South Sudanese capital, Juba, on the fifth anniversary of the country’s independence.
The fight started on Friday evening as President Salva Kiir, first Vice-president Riek Machar and second Vice President Igga Wani, met to discuss the cause of fighting which left five soldiers dead on Thursday.
South Sudanese local media reported the casualties at 150 dead, including 36 soldiers from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-Opposition (SPLM-IO) loyal to Mr Machar and 80 from President Kiir’s side.
Mr Machar remains the Commander-In-Chief of the forces loyal to him while Mr Kiir maintains the command of the overall national security forces as part of a peace deal ending months of conflict.