By ILYA GRIDNEFF
Civilians who fled the recent fighting stack their belongings up outside the gate of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) compound, hoping to benefit from their protection, after government forces on Friday retook from rebel forces the provincial capital of Bentiu, in Unity State, South Sudan, Sunday, Jan 12, 2014. On Sunday senior South Sudanese government officers inspected the recaptured town of Bentiu, in northern Unity State, that was the scene of intense fighting between government and rebel forces, while a South Sudanese government official claimed rebels had badly damaged petroleum facilities in the state. (AP Photo/Mackenzie Knowles-Coursin)
South Sudan Violence
A man carrying his belongings stands amongst the remains of buildings destroyed by the recent fighting, after government forces on Friday retook from rebel forces the provincial capital of Bentiu, in Unity State, South Sudan Sunday, Jan 12, 2014. On Sunday senior South Sudanese government officers inspected the recaptured town of Bentiu, in northern Unity State, that was the scene of intense fighting between government and rebel forces, while a South Sudanese government official claimed rebels had badly damaged petroleum facilities in the state. (AP Photo/Mackenzie Knowles-Coursin)
South Sudan Violence
A man, right, sits with his belongings on the side of the road as government soldiers walk past, after government forces on Friday retook from rebel forces the provincial capital of Bentiu, in Unity State, South Sudan Sunday, Jan 12, 2014. On Sunday senior South Sudanese government officers inspected the recaptured town of Bentiu, in northern Unity State, that was the scene of intense fighting between government and rebel forces, while a South Sudanese government official claimed rebels had badly damaged petroleum facilities in the state. (AP Photo/Mackenzie Knowles-Coursin)
South Sudan Violence
Ash drifts into the face of David Luo Kuang, 18, as he stands outside the doorway of his still-smoldering home that was burned in the recent fighting, after government forces on Friday retook from rebel forces the provincial capital of Bentiu, in Unity State, South Sudan, Sunday, Jan 12, 2014. On Sunday senior South Sudanese government officers inspected the recaptured town of Bentiu, in northern Unity State, that was the scene of intense fighting between government and rebel forces, while a South Sudanese government official claimed rebels had badly damaged petroleum facilities in the state. (AP Photo/Mackenzie Knowles-Coursin)
South Sudan Violence
Women carry belongings on their heads as they head towards the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) base in Malakal, South Sudan Sunday, Jan 12, 2014. Government forces have controlled the town since before the new year, but some civilians are still afraid for their safety and are seeking protection from further fighting at the UNMISS base. (AP Photo/Mackenzie Knowles-Coursin)
South Sudan Violence
Civilians sit under the shade of a blanket they placed over a small tree outside the gate of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) compound, hoping to benefit from their protection, after government forces on Friday retook from rebel forces the provincial capital of Bentiu, in Unity State, South Sudan, Sunday, Jan 12, 2014. On Sunday senior South Sudanese government officers inspected the recaptured town of Bentiu, in northern Unity State, that was the scene of intense fighting between government and rebel forces, while a South Sudanese government official claimed rebels had badly damaged petroleum facilities in the state. (AP Photo/Mackenzie Knowles-Coursin)
South Sudan Violence
A South Sudanese government soldier stands with others near their vehicles, after government forces on Friday retook from rebel forces the provincial capital of Bentiu, in Unity State, South Sudan, Sunday, Jan 12, 2014. On Sunday senior South Sudanese government officers inspected the recaptured town of Bentiu, in northern Unity State, that was the scene of intense fighting between government and rebel forces, while a South Sudanese government official claimed rebels had badly damaged petroleum facilities in the state. (AP Photo/Mackenzie Knowles-Coursin)
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BENTIU, South Sudan (AP) — Dozens of dead, mangled and bloated bodies line the roadside from the airport into this state capital of one of South Sudan’s oil-producing regions. Houses, buildings and shops have been looted, burned or destroyed.
The remnants of war in Bentiu show the damage being done across the world’s newest country. Government troops are now in full control there.
Negotiators for the two sides in South Sudan’s nearly month-old conflict met face-to-face in Addis Abba, Ethiopia on Monday. A Kenyan mediator said the agenda will include talks on a cessation of hostilities.
Despite the appearance of diplomatic progress, more violence also looks possible. By boat and truck, South Sudan troops are moving in on the rebel-held town of Bor, the capital of Jonglei state, just north of country capital Juba.
