The United States has condemned the recent clashes between the government and the SPLA-in-Opposition forces in Unity state.

On Sunday, government forces recaptured Nasir and Bentiu from the SPLA-In-Opposition.

In a press statement, the US secretary of state, John Kerry, said these attacks ‘blatantly violate the January 23 Cessation of Hostilities agreement and contradict commitments President Kiir has made in recent days’.

Mister Kerry called on all parties to the conflict to ‘re-dedicate themselves to the agreement, not just in words, but in actions, and to halt all military offensives’.

He said the government and opposition forces also must cooperate fully with the IGAD’s Monitoring and Verification Mechanism.

Mr Kerry who paid a visit to President Kiir last week said the government and opposition must resolve their differences at the negotiating table, rather than through military action.

He urged President Kiir and former Vice President Riek Machar to follow through on their commitments to meet directly in the coming days to end the conflict and initiate discussions on an inclusive political transition.

Yesterday, the Government and the SPLM/SPLA- In Opposition signed a recommitment to improve Humanitarian access in the Ethiopian Capital Addis Ababa.

Mr Kerry appealed to both sides of the conflict to ensure humanitarian access for UN agencies and others who are trying to provide life-saving assistance to all in need.

He also urged them to respect and support the UN Mission in South Sudan as it carries out its mandate to protect civilians.