South Sudan’s government and rebels traded accusations Sunday that each had breached a ceasefire deal by attacking the other, but insisted they were committed to ending weeks of brutal conflict.

South Sudan's government and rebels traded accusations Sunday that each had breached a ceasefire deal by attacking the other, but insisted they were committed to ending weeks of brutal conflict.

The ceasefire, aimed at stopping six weeks of bitter fighting in which thousands have died, began Friday evening with both sides reporting clashes as the deadline approached.

Up to 10,000 people are believed to have been killed in the fighting pitting forces loyal to President Salva Kiir against a loose coalition of army defectors and ethnic militia nominally headed by sacked vice president Riek Machar, a seasoned guerrilla fighter.

Army spokesman Philip Aguer said he had received no fresh reports of fighting on Sunday. But both sides have also said they doubt the other can fully control the forces on the ground.

Information Minister Michael Makuei, speaking on Saturday in Juba after returning from the talks in Ethiopia that hammered out the crucial deal, said the clashes were not unexpected, as the "rebels are undisciplined".