The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMSS) has said that rebels have begun launching an aggressive offensive to recapture its former headquarters in the country.

The United Nations’ Mission therefore explicitly accused the rebels of violating the ceasefire agreement that was reached between the rebels and the government in Ethiopia.

Fighting broke out in South Sudan in December last year and President Kiir has accused reels leader, Riek Machar of plotting a coup against his government.

Mr. Riek Machar met with President Salva Kiir in May in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa and agreed on an immediate ceasefire of hostilities between both sides.

But before that, a previous ceasefire was agreed between the two sides in early January which was mediated by regional leaders but both sides accused each other of violating the ceasefire agreement.

The United Nations says the attack on Nasir town was the most serious resumption of hostilities since the May agreement in Ethiopia.

UNMSS acting head; Raisedon Zenenga said in a statement that this latest development is likely to jeopardize the progress being made to restore peace back in the country.

“It is deplorable that this major attack comes at a time when intensive efforts are under way by mediators of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development to convince all parties to resume the suspended peace talks in Addis Ababa, the attack is a clear violation of the cessation of hostilities agreement “, the statement said.

But rebels told local reporters that they had seized the town in an act of self-defence against government troop’s brutality.

Rebel spokesman, Lul Kuang was quoted by reporters as saying that they launched the offensive because of several attempts by government forces to arrest their commander.

“The fall of Nasir now paves the way for military resources to be refocused on Poloich Oil Fields, Maban and Malakal,” Mr. Kuang said.

The government has however denied this accusation and refused to admit that the town has fallen to the rebels despite local reporter verifying that the rebels are in control of the town.

South Sudan broke away from Sudan in 2011 after decades of conflict with Sudan which left many people dead.

Both President Kiir and Mr. Machar were part of the Sudanese Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM) which fought for independence from Sudan but relation between the two worsen in less than 2 years of independence from Sudan.

Issaka Adams / NationalTurk Africa News

Writer’s Email Address: Adamsisska@googlemail.com