Sudanese youths march on Bor

South Sudanese youths marched in thousands on the strategic town of Bor in support to rebel leader Riek Machar.

The youths  form part of a militia known as the White Army, a name deriving from the white ash the youths use as insect repellant.

What looked like a fight for power between Riek Machar and President Salva Kiir, escalated into a full-blown tribal conflict between the men's respective tribes, the Dinka and the Nuer. Machar was deputy to president Kiir until the latter fired him in July and accused him of attempting to unseat him in a coup.

Addressing the international media Machar claimed his forces were in control of Jonglei and Unity and Bor. However Bor, the capital of Jonglei is currently under the control of government troops after it was retaken from the hands of rebels.

Calling for the release of 11 of his men held in detention and accused of conspiring to upstage a coup, the former deputy president did not rule out a cease fire, "however this has to be serious, credible and properly monitored".

Meanwhile a spokesperson for President Kiir 's argued that to be considered a ceasefire proposal should not include any conditions. "If hostilities do not cease our soldiers have the right to defend themselves," he said.

Fighting erupted between the rival army factions, resulting in more than 1,000 were killed and over 121,600 fled their homes. Thousands of civilian refugees sought shelter at the UN camps as protected by reinforcements.