SOUTH SUDAN- Rebels alleged to be loyal to the former Vice President of South Sudan, Riek Machar, have taken control of Bor, a key town in South Sudan.

This was revealed by the Army Spokesman Philip Aguer, who said the South Sudan soldiers have lost the control of the state to the rebels following Sunday’s attempted coup.

President Salva Kiir has accused Mr Machar, of staging a coup, although the accused denied the claim.

The unrest, which began in the capital Juba, has already killed 500 people and sparked fears of a civil war.

The United Nations has called for political dialogue to end the crisis, and Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said about 20,000 people had taken refuge in UN compounds in Juba, while Britain and the US have both sent planes to airlift their nationals out of the country.

Since independence, several groups have taken up arms against the South Sudanese government. It is not clear if any of these groups were involved in the capture of Bor.