Despite President Kiir’s remarks, South Sudanese rebels said that government forces attacked their positions on Friday, a day after the two sides signed a ceasefire deal. But the government has denied the accusations.
On Friday, a rebel spokesman in Ethiopia accused government forces of attacking rebel positions in oil-rich Unity state and in Jonglei state. He called the attacks a "clear violation" of the peace deal and said rebel forces would defend themselves against attacks. A South Sudanese military spokesman said he was not aware of any new violence but said there was fighting in Jonglei on Thursday.
The ceasefire agreement was meant to end the suffering of South Sudan’s people, half million of whom have fled their homes since violence erupted on December 15. Thousands are thought to have been killed.