The US government has seriously questioned its continued diplomatic and financial support for the peace agreement, says its ambassador in Juba.

Ambassador Phee says there is a lack of permanent ceasefire and of an inclusive government.

She says the United States believes the July violence was avoidable but says the leaders of both the South Sudanese government and the armed opposition failed to seize the opportunity to lay down their weapons and resume the task of building the country.

Ms Phee said diplomatic and financial support of the U.S will be based on the full implementation of the ceasefire by the government and the opposition.

The support would also be given if the government accepts the deployment of the Regional Protection Force to help ensure a secure and neutral environment in Juba.

Ms Phee says the U.S support will also be based on whether the Transitional Government of National Unity makes a credible effort to include opposition parties and independent and critical voices.

She says major reforms such as in the army, public financial management, constitutional review and reconciliation process can only be supported if fighting stops.

“All of these reform goals are very valuable and important to the future of South Sudan, but without security, you cannot undertake these reforms. The United States sincerely wants the people and the government of South Sudan to succeed. We believe the best way for the country to succeed is for everyone to agree to stop fighting, and to go back to a political process to resolve the political competition,” she said.

Ambassador Molly says financial support to security arrangements and reforms as signed in the peace agreement will be subject to how serious the parties are to its implementation.

“We are prepared to continue to support South Sudan if people get serious about implementing the peace agreement, then we will be serious about providing financial support. We need to see action, and action will be backed up with finance.”

Ambassador Molly Phee also urges South Sudanese leaders to unite their communities and dispel the growing communal hatred and ethnic prejudice.

The TGoNU has not commented immediately on this, but it previously said it needed support from the international community to implement key areas of the agreement, such as the establishment of barracks outside Juba.