South Sudan's latest ceasefire is already broken; 29 die in new fighting

JUBA, South Sudan –  Forty-eight hours after the latest ceasefire deal was signed in South Sudan, a massive battle has broken out between government troops and rebel fighters.

South Sudan military spokesman Col. Philip Aguer said the fighting on Monday killed 24 rebels and five government soldiers. There was no way to independently verify Aguer's casualty toll.

South Sudanese political leaders in Ethiopia early on Saturday agreed to the third cease-fire of the conflict. Like the previous two accords, the third was quickly broken, proving that political settlements have little effect on the battlefield.

East African countries have stepped up warnings that if the warfare continues they will impose economic and political sanctions against the government of President Salva Kiir and rebel leader and former Vice President Riek Machar.