South Sudan's fragile peace process is under renewed strain after the country's main armed opposition group claimed it has captured the strategic town of Panyume and called on its forces to advance towards the capital, Juba. The government says its troops repelled the attack, but the latest fighting has raised fresh fears of a wider escalation in a country already facing deep humanitarian distress, mass displacement and stalled political reforms. The developments come as South Sudan approaches 15 years since independence, with national elections tentatively scheduled for later this year the first since the country broke away from Sudan in 2011. To help us understand what this moment means for peace, civilians and the region, we're joined by South Sudanese human rights lawyer and civil society activist, Rajab Mohandis, who is also a signatory to the country's 2018 revitalised peace agreement. R-ARCSS....

<p>South Sudan's fragile peace process is under renewed strain after the country's main armed opposition group claimed it has captured the strategic town of Panyume and called on its forces to advance towards the capital, Juba. The government says its troops repelled the attack, but the latest fighting has raised fresh fears of a wider escalation in a country already facing deep humanitarian distress, mass displacement and stalled political reforms. The developments come as South Sudan approaches 15 years since independence, with national elections tentatively scheduled for later this year the first since the country broke away from Sudan in 2011. To help us understand what this moment means for peace, civilians and the region, we're joined by South Sudanese human rights lawyer and civil society activist, Rajab Mohandis, who is also a signatory to the country's 2018 revitalised peace agreement. R-ARCSS....</p>