South Sudan Update - Situation in Bor - @ 1000 hours local - 20th December

The UN was temporarily reported to have lost contact with its base in Bor this morning.

There are reports of Equity bank being looted, as well as the entire market, part of which has been burned.

The town is no longer under the control of government security forces, and is currently controlled by soldiers who defected to join the ranks of Peter Gadet and others.

Many people have fled to the safety of the UNMISS compound. There has been fighting in Akobo, north-east of Bor, again apparently between factions of the SPLA.

Many civilians fled to the UNMISS compound in Bor for safety but it is now confirmed that the defecting troops have breached the UN site and there are reports of a fatality.

There are further reports of shooting, assumed to be fighting, to both the north and the south of Bentiu, in Unity State. No further details are available at this time.