The United Nations Secretary Genaral Ban Ki-moon has called for an immediate arms embargo against South Sudan in response to the eruption of heavy gunfight in the capital, Juba, which has left hundreds dead.

Ban also appealed to the UN Security Council for targeted sanctions against South Sudanee leaders and commanders blocking the implementation of a 2015 peace agreement that is meant to end the civil war.

The fighting is the first between the army and ex-rebels since the April return of Riek Machar to the capital to take up the position of first vice president in a transitional unity government. The UNSC on Sunday appealed to neighbouring countries to send additional –peacekeepers to South Sudan to help contain the situation.