African leaders to hold crisis talks over S. Sudan

2013-12-27 48

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES

South Sudan's President Salva Kir meets the prime ministers of Kenya and Ethiopia to try to end the fighting in Juba.

They decide to meet in Kenya to discuss the issues raised during this meeting about the growing violence in South Sudan.

The UN says the first peacekeeping reinforcements were expected to arrive in 48 hours.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) HILDE JOHNSON, UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL, SAYING:

"These past 11 days have been a very trying time for South Sudan and for all citizens of this newborn nation. What has happened this last week has for many of them brought back the nightmares of the past. The nation's that was painstakingly built over decades of conflict and strife is at stake."

Violence erupted 12 days ago between forces loyal to Kir and those backing his ex-deputy Riek Machar.

More than 1,000 people are believed to have died.

Here bodies lie scatter