The US government has urged authorities in South Sudan to investigate last week’s clashes in the Malakal UN camp and punish those responsible.

The medical charity, MSF, says 18 people, including two of its workers, were killed in the incident. More than 70 others were reported injured.

UNMISS and Eastern Nile state government officials say the fighting was between two ethnic communities living in the camp.

But the US says there are credible reports that a large group of government soldiers were involved.

In a statement, the US National Security Advisor, Susan Rice, says government troops entered the Malakal camp and opened fire on civilians seeking protection there.

Ms Susan Rice says the camp was also looted and burnt down.

“We call on the Government of South Sudan immediately to conduct an investigation of this violence, to identify the soldiers responsible, and to bring the perpetrators to justice,” she said in the statement.