South Sudan 'back to war'

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. But Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth said the reports of war were "dishonest".

The UN mission said hundreds had sought shelter in its compounds, and called for leaders to restrain their troops.

Col William Gatjiath, Machar's military spokesman, told the BBC President Salva Kiir "isn't serious" about a peace agreement signed in August 2015 to end a civil war.

He said "hundreds" of Machar's troops had died on Sunday, and that troops loyal to Machar were advancing on Juba from different directions.

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.

Analysts say the failure of the two sides to swiftly implement key elements of the 2015 deal, such as re-integrating or demobilising their troops, has cast a shadow over the peace process.

South Sudan's civil war was fought largely along ethnic lines with Kiir, a Dinka, and Machar, a Nuer, drawing support from their respective tribes. Fighting since 2013 has left swathes of the country of 11 million people struggling to find enough food to eat.