Southern Sudanese rebels loyal to former Vice President Riek Machar say they are closing in on a number of key oil installations and two state capitals, and predict the imminent collapse of the government.

Now into its fifth month, the conflict pitting South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir against his former Vice President, has taken on a new dimension, following last week’s violent rebel capture of oil town and Unity state capital Bentiu. In what is one of the worst reported atrocities in the war-torn country, the UN said “more than 200 civilians were reportedly killed, and over 400 wounded” in the town’s main mosque. (CONTINUED - 351 WORDS)