The U.S. government has condemned the temporary detention of six members of the IGAD Monitoring and Verification Mechanism team and three aircrew by the SPLA in Opposition forces.

The monitors were detained on the 23rd of August in Mayom County, Unity State.

U.S. State Department’s Spokesperson, Jen Psaki, said in a statement that they regret the death of a member of the Monitoring and Verification Mechanism team during the incident.

“Impediments to movement of MVM personnel are a clear violation of the Cessation of Hostilities (COH) agreement, signed by both sides on January 23,” read the statement.

She says the U.S government is waiting for the results of a formal investigation.

Madam Psaki reiterated the U.S government’s support for IGAD mediation efforts.

“We reiterate our support for IGAD mediation efforts, and underscore the importance of MVM operations in facilitating the implementation of the COH agreement and the recently signed Security Matrix.”