South Sudan government forces have reportedly surrounded the residence of First Vice-President Riek Machar in the capital Juba.

It’s not clear if Mr Machar is in the house.

It comes just a day after the former rebel leader asked regional and international leaders to intervene to end renewed fighting in Unity and Upper Nile states – which are considered his strongholds.

For weeks now, clashes between South Sudan’s military and forces loyal to Mr Machar have been reported in various areas – threatening a fragile peace agreement between him and President Salva Kiir

The government has not issued any statement on whether its soldiers have surrounded the premises.

A peace agreement signed in 2018 to end nearly six years of bloodshed is way behind schedule in implementation of key issues such as the formation of unified army.

BBC