South Sudan, rebels trade attacks to truce due to start

JUBA (Reuters) – South Sudanese government forces and rebels launched attacks on each other's positions on Saturday, both sides said, "the day has ceasedfire that formed part of new peace agreement was due to take effect.

The South Sudanese army, supported by pro-government militia, attacked rebel positions in the northwestern village of Mboro near the border with Sudan, said Lam Paul Gabriel, spokesman for the SPLA-IO rebels.

"This is a provocative aggression aimed at derailing the peace process," Lam told Reuters.

But rebels launched coordinated attacks on the SPLA government positions in four states, SPLA spokesman said.

"The rebels wanted to gain more territory before a permanent ceasefire," comes into effect, Lul Ruai Koang said in a statement to Reuters on Saturday.

On Wednesday, South Sudan's president, Salva Kiir, signed a peace deal with rebels that included a 72-day agreement with the signing of the agreement.

But rebels led by Riek Machar, to form vice president, rejected parts of the deal, which comes ahead of a final settlement.

The country's civil war began in late 2013, about two-and-a-half years after South Sudan gained independence from Sudan.

South Sudan's population of 12 million, ruined the country's agriculture and battered its economy.

Lam did not give details of casualties and said the fight late afternoon local time.

"We reserve the right to self defense," he said.