South Sudan 'back to war', says VP Riek Machar's spokesman

Chinese peacekeepers were deployed as violence broke out on Friday. (Image: CCTV)

South Sudan is "back to war", a spokesman for the vice-president has told the BBC, as rival factions clash and hundreds have been reported killed.

Forces loyal to Vice-President Riek Machar say government troops attacked their positions in the capital, Juba.

Col William Gatjiath, Mr Machar's military spokesman, told the BBC President Salva Kiir "isn't serious" about a peace agreement.

The government has not responded to Col Gatjiath's comments.

But information minister Michael Makuei Lueth told South Sudanese television that "the situation is normal and it is under full control".

Government troops responded when Mr Machar's forces attacked a checkpoint, he said, adding that those forces had now been scattered.

Col Gatjiath told the BBC "hundreds" of Mr Machar's troops had died on Sunday, and that troops loyal to Mr Machar were advancing on Juba from different directions.

The clashes follow days of fighting in the world's newest country between supporters of Mr Kiir and Mr Machar.

At least 150 people were killed in fighting on Friday, before calm was restored on Saturday. Local radio station Radio Tamazuj reported on Sunday that the death toll from those clashes may be as high as 271.

South Sudan's short history has been marked by violence and poverty. (GETTY Image)

The violence has raised fears of renewed instability, with a 2015 peace deal failing to quell unrest.

Heavy gunfire was reported on Sunday near a military barracks occupied by troops loyal to Mr Machar.

Friday's exchanges were apparently sparked by a shootout between Mr Kiir's and Mr Machar's bodyguards. The two men met at the presidential palace on Friday, and issued a call for calm.