South Sudan’s president, opposition rival seek cease-fire

JUBA, South Sudan — The president of South Sudan and his opposition rival both called Monday for a cease-fire in a conflict that has seen fierce clashes between their forces spread beyond the capital.

President Salva Kiir declared a halt in fighting that began Thursday night and has raised fears of a return to civil war that could draw in even more of the East African country’s ethnic groups.

Speaking to reporters Monday, Ban also called for additional sanctions against South Sudan leaders who have blocked the existing peace deal and the “fortifying” of the U.N. peacekeeping force there.

Many of the thousands displaced by the fighting are seeking shelter at two U.N. bases, a World Food Program compound and other areas, said Matilda Moyo, a spokeswoman at the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

South Sudan’s civil war broke out in December 2013 after fighting between the Dinka and Nuer ethnic groups spread across the country.