Fighting is continuing unabated in South Sudan as the two sides prepare to begin peace talks in Ethiopia.
A South Sudanese army spokesman told an international media broadcaster that clashes are continuing in Bor and parts of Unity state.
Both the government and rebels have sent negotiating teams to the Ethiopian capital. So far the rebels have refused to end hostilities ahead of the talks.
Aid agencies say supplies are urgently needed for the many thousands of people forced to flee their homes.
Conditions have deteriorated in Awerial refugee camp on the banks of the Nile – now home to some 75,000 people who have fled the fighting in nearby Bor, the capital of Jonglei state, now in rebel hands.
At least 1,000 people have died and some 180,000 people forced from their homes since fighting erupted last month between supporters of President Kiir and those of his sacked deputy Riek Machar.
But what began as a power struggle between the two men has taken on the overtones of an ethnic conflict between members of Mr Kiir’s Dinka community and the Nuer of Mr Machar.
Rebecca Garang is Dinka, James Hoth Mai is Nuer – they are fighting on "Opposite sides" . This is not tribal Punjabi Vs Sindhi, this is a power grab by a loser from a different tribe!
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