South Sudan said it had reversed its plans to introduce a new currency as the pound continues to depreciate against the U. S. dollar and other major currencies due to the economic crisis.

South Sudan's president, Salva Kiir, has fired the finance minister, the head of the tax authority as well as the director of state-owned petrol company, state radio announced Thursday.

Prominent South Sudanese economist and government critic Peter Biar Ajak said Friday that he had sought asylum in the United States, accusing President Salva Kiir of trying to have him killed, a charge Juba denied.

South Sudan's main rivals were at loggerheads Friday over who will control the country's 10 internal states, an issue that analysts and diplomats worried could jeopardise a power-sharing deal reached earlier this year.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar agreed Thursday to form a unity government on Saturday, a long-delayed step towards ending six years of war.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir on Friday dismissed international calls for compromise with his foes to break a deadlock that threatens a ceasefire in their six year war.

President Salva Kiir returned Wednesday from talks on South Sudan's future to organised crowds calling him a hero, as diplomats warned time was short to strike a deal for peace.

The latest round of peace talks between South Sudan's two rival leaders has failed to strike a deal on the vital issue of internal boundaries, mediators said on Friday.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar held fresh talks Wednesday in a bid to break a deadlock over states and internal borders in the troubled country, in order to form a unity government next month.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar agreed Tuesday to form a unity government by a February deadline, as they face international censure over faltering peace talks.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir on Friday said a new delay to set up a power-sharing government was "endurable" as he vowed to honour a peace deal funding pledge for a unified army.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar will hold rare face-to-face talks Thursday in Uganda, their representatives said, as time runs out for the rivals to form a power-sharing government.