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ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — South Sudan's rebel leader is warning attacks by government troops on rebel-held areas could sabotage a peace agreement between the warring sides.
Riek Machar told reporters in Ethiopia Monday that he is concerned the government is not respecting the cease-fire.
"The cease-fire has not been respected by the government since it was declared and this is because they still are on the offensive," Machar said. "If this situation goes on, it means the peace agreement is not implementable."
Both sides agreed to a cease-fire that took effect Sunday, but there are reported violations in the volatile states of Upper Nile and Unity.
Machar accused government troops of attacking despite the cease-fire and urged President Salva Kiir's government to control its troops.
South Sudanese officials accused rebels of launching fresh attacks on their positions Monday.
The rebels ambushed a government army vehicle traveling between Leer town and the Thar Jath oil fields, Unity state acting governor Stephen Takel told The Associated Press by phone from state capital Bentiu. Two government soldiers were killed in the attack, said army spokesman Col. Philip Aguer.
But a rebel official denied there had been any clashes in the area Sunday or Monday. Leer county rebel commissioner Kuong Kuony said by phone from Unity state accused the government of sending a platoon of troops on foot out from Leer town, against the cease-fire's requirements that soldiers should to remain in their barracks.
Aguer said the rebels also shelled government positions at Gabat area of Manyo County in Upper Nile state, without mentioning casualties.
It is not possible to independently verify the alleged violations.
The U.S. has threatened U.N. sanctions against those who violate the pact, which was mediated by regional leaders and is backed by the international community.
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