South Sudan Troops Re-Capture Bor

Bor, the capital of Jonglei state has in the recent past changed hands in the month-long conflict believed to have left thousands of civilians dead.

Meanwhile, talks to try to find a ceasefire are continuing in Ethiopia.

South Sudanese army spokesman Philip Aguer said the fight for Bor had left "many dead", without giving figures.

Brig-Gen Lul Ruai Koang, a military spokesperson for the opposition in South Sudan, said its troops had withdrawn to reorganise.

Col Aguer  said the focus would now fall on the town of Malakal, still party controlled by the rebels, with the government forces planning an imminent attack.

But Col Aguer admitted maintaining communication with government forces there was "difficult".

On Friday, UN Human Rights fact finder Ivan Simonovic said both government soldiers and rebels had committed atrocities.

He told the BBC there had been reports of "mass killings, extra-judicial killings, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, sexual violence, widespread destruction and looting of property and use of the children in conflict".

On Thursday, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni confirmed that Ugandan troops are fighting in South Sudan against the rebels.

Army Spokesman Lt Col Paddy Ankunda said Uganda has 2 battalions made up of 1600 soldiers inside South Sudan.

The conflict began on 15th December when President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup.

At least 1,000 people have been killed in the fighting since 15th December, with more than 200,000 others displaced.

By Beth Nyaga

Source: BBC News