Failed coup attempt in South Sudan

Dec. 16 (UPI) -- South Sudanese Foreign Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin said Monday that troops raided a weapons store in an attempted coup but were turned away. Casualties from Monday mornings fight are still unknown.

He says some politicians have been arrested but could not confirm if former Vice President Riek Machar, who allegedly led the attempt, was among them. Benjamin said disgruntled soldiers and politicians were involved in Machar's attempted coup.

South Sudan is an oil-rich nation. A curfew has now been placed on South Sudan by President Salva Kiir. Kiir fired Machar in July.

[USA Today]

[WSJ]