South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir says he has nothing to fear if he were to be charged with crimes against humanity for alleged atrocities carried out by his troops during the country’s civil war.

Speaking to a Kenyan TV station, Mr Kiir said he had done nothing wrong, despite accusations from the UN that his officials may be responsible for the mass murder and rape of civilians and the recruitment of child soldiers.

Mr Kiir insisted he had no involvement in any atrocities and said the claims against him were brought by external forces who had an agenda against his government.

He said if he were to face charges at the International Criminal Court, he would go to The Hague and then return a free man.

He added that there was no proof that his soldiers had committed any crimes. And even if that was the case, he said, those would have been carried out by isolated individuals.

President Kiir said he would also welcome his rival and recently-reinstated Vice-President Riek Machar back to the capital, Juba, assuring him of his safety.

Mr Machar has been in exile since 2016 and despite a peace agreement, says he will only return if the state of emergency is lifted and if opposition movements are allowed to operate freely.