American and Nigerian Special Envoys Heading to South Sudan

Hundreds have been killed in wake of what President Kiir has said was an attempted coup headed by former Vice President Riek Machar

Special envoys from the United States and Nigeria are flying to South Sudan as world leaders step up efforts to avert an all-out civil war.

The US envoy for Sudan and South Sudan Donald Booth was expected in the capital Juba on Sunday.

It follows a mission by foreign ministers from east Africa and the Horn and an appeal by UN chief Ban Ki-moon to end the violence that has gripped the country.

The fighting started a week ago when President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy Riek Machar of attempting a coup.