Thousands have fled into Uganda from South Sudan

More than 5 000 people have fled crisis-hit South Sudan into neighbouring Uganda since the latest outbreak of violence began on July 7, the UN said on Tuesday, voicing fears that more could follow. An estimated 90% of those who have crossed the border in recent days were women and children, the UN refugee agency said. A shaky ceasefire has held for over a week after the fighting that raged in the capital between soldiers loyal to President Salva Kiir and troops backing the country's Vice-President Riek Machar. The new outbreak of violence has left hundreds dead and forced thousands to flee their homes. On Monday, African leaders agreed to deploy a protection force in South Sudan, giving them a more robust mission than the UN peacekeeping mission currently there.