The President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, Gen. Abdul Fattah Al Burhan is received by President Kiir upon his arrival at JIA. January 12, 2023. | Photo: Awan Moses/Eye Radio.

The South Sudan government on Saturday called on Sudan’s military leaders to initiate an immediate cessation of hostilities between the country’s warring military forces.

Heavy gunfire erupted in the streets of Khartoum between the army loyal to de facto leader Abdal Fatah Al Burhan, and the Rapid Support Force commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

The paramilitary group RSF claimed earlier that it has taken control of the Presidential Palace and a major airport.

In a press statement, the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Deng Dau Deng said Juba is following the situation with “deep” concerns.

Deng said President Kiir is in communication with the Sudanese leaders to persuade them to end the violence.

“His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit is in close contact with the leaders of the Sudan in the hope that de-escalation of the current situation will be achieved,” said the minister.

“The Republic of South Sudan that brokered the Sudan Peace Agreement in Juba and continues to remain a major guarantor of that agreement, call for immediate ceasefire and commencement of talks to pertinent issues that led to the current situation.”

Deng added that South Sudan, which is closest to Sudan “expresses its hope that the current situation is brought to speedy end.”

South Sudan’s crude oil, which accounts for almost the entire revenue, is transported to the international market through the Sudan to the Red Sea Port.