Machar’s army of Nuer tribal youths has vowed to over-run oil installations in a bid to force Kiir to step down after three months of armed conflict.

Meanwhile, rebel commander Major General Gathoth Gatkuoth has accused Kiir of “colonising” Nuer oilfields, insisting he will head north from Malakal before the end of the week.

Kiir accused Machar of plotting a coup d’etat last December, but former vice-president-turned rebel leader Machar denies this, instead alleging an ethnic Dinka-orchestrated conspiracy to camouflage a purge of political opposition.

South