Kiir Attempting To Shore Up His Position Amid Discontent: Analysts

Dozens of soldiers handed themselves over to the government in South Sudan on Wednesday amid a rift between the countrys president and first vice president.

The troops, aligned with First Vice President Riek Machars SPLM-IO party, defected at a ceremony in the capital Juba.

There is no need for two armies or two commanders-in-chief.

The transfer took place as African Union mediators were flying into the country for talks aimed at averting a return to civil war.

President Salva Kiir placed his longtime rival Machar under house arrest last week.