Fighting continues in South Sudan despite regional diplomatic efforts to secure cease-fire

KAMPALA, Uganda – A spokesman for South Sudan's military says fighting continues in the oil-producing Unity state despite ongoing efforts by regional leaders to get both sides to agree to an immediate cease-fire.

Military spokesman Col. Philip Aguer said Saturday that government troops were being forced to repel attacks by forces loyal to Riek Machar, the fugitive former vice president who is blamed for what the government insists was an attempted coup on Dec. 15.

East African leaders said at the end of a summit Friday that South Sudan's government agreed to end hostilities against rebels who control some parts of the country. But Machar was not invited to the summit in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, throwing into doubt the government's cease-fire offer.