South Sudan former vice president denies coup involvement

South Sudans former vice president Riek Machar has denied any involvement in an alleged coup attempt in the capital, Juba, saying it was another undemocratic attempt by president Salva Kiir to get rid of his political critics in the party and government. Speaking to "Sudan Tribune" for the first time since violence erupted on Sunday, Machar said the events were a misunderstanding between the presidential guards. "There was no coup. What took place in Juba was a misunderstanding between presidential guards within their division. It was not a coup attempt. I have no connection with or knowledge of any coup attempt," said Machar. Machar told Sudan Tribune that Kiir was continuing to violate the constitution and was "no longer a legal president." He also condemned Kiirs actions for encouraging or condoning the recent massacres targeting one ethnic group in the nations capital in the last three days. The UN has said the fighting has claimed hundreds of lives and warned that it could descend into a civil war. UN diplomats said they had been told by sources in the capital, Juba, that the death toll was between 400 and 500. South Sudan, the world's youngest nation, witnessed a power struggle between Kiir and his former deputy for several months. Kiir fired Machar from his post in July, raising fears of a political upheaval in the country. Fighting between rival factions of the armed forces erupted on Sunday, with reports of sporadic gunfire and blasts continuing late into Tuesday evening.