Benitu Residents In South Sudan Flee Homes

This comes as talks between the government and the rebels appear to be deadlocked.

The fleeing residents have taken refuge in a UN base, as Goverment troops seem to be approaching the city in possible efforts to recapture it from the rebels.

Benitu and the Jonglei state capital- Bor, have been under rebel control with battles for control ongoing around Bor.

So far, the conflict in Southern Sudan has seen more than 1,000 killed and approximately 20,000 displaced in the skirmishes between Dinka and Nuer communities.

The war which started in mid-December began with the President Salva Kiir accusing his former Deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup.

Machar denied the charges and demanded unconditionl release of 11 of his allies detained on the same charges.

Kiir agreed to the request on conditions that the talks be moved from Ethiopia to Juba, and that the detainees be allowed to attend the talks during the days and going back to their detention centre later on.

The offer was rejected by Machar and his allies.

International Commitee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has described the Africa’s newest state to be in  “dire situation” adding that the full scope of the situation is unknown.

By Diana Kariuki