The South Sudanese government has agreed to an end to hostilities with rebel groups in the country, following a meeting between East African leaders in the Kenyan capital Nairobi.

The talks by the regional heads of government are set to continue in the coming days. President Salva Kiir did not attend the talks in Nairobi nor, apparently, did any representative of Riek Machar, who is associated with the rebels.

The country has been reeling under intensified violence in the past few days as rival army factions launch attacks against each other. President Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, has been accusing Mr Machar, who hails from the Nuer tribe, of attempting a coup against the government, leading to the clashes.

More than 1000 people are believed to have died in the conflict, as fears have grown that the fighting will escalate into an all-out ethnic war.

Written and presented by Alfred Joyner