Au Mediators Arrive In South Sudan To Try To Rescue Peace Deal

African Union mediators arrived in South Sudans ca on Wednesday for talks aimed at averting a new civil war after First Vice President Riek Machar was placed under house arrest last week.

President Salva Kiirs government has accused Machar, a longtime rival who led rebel forces during a 2013-18 war that killed hundreds of thousands, of trying stir up a new rebellion.

Machars detention last Wednesday followed weeks of fighting in the northern Upper Nile state between the military and the White Army militia.

Machars forces were allied with the White Army during the civil war but deny any current links.

The AU delegations flight arrived at Jubas airport on Wednesday afternoon with a Council of the Wise which included former Burundian President Domitien Ndayizeye and former Kenyan judge Effie Owuor.