US Department of State. (Photo: Courtesy).

The U.S. government has called on President Salva Kiir and First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar to de-escalate tensions and uphold their respective obligations under the 2018 peace agreement, including its ceasefire provisions.

In a statement seen by Eye Radio on Tuesday, the US has expressed concern over what they say is growing tensions and deteriorating situation in South Sudan.

It cited the recent clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defense Force’s and the SPLM/A I.O in Upper Nile state.

The U.S. government also calls for both sides to observe fully their obligations under the existing peace agreement and note that inflammatory rhetoric is counterproductive and should cease immediately.

“The SPLM-IO’s withdrawal from all peace agreement monitoring and verification mechanisms undermines the peace agreement and  must be immediately reversed as ceasefire monitoring bodies investigate the recent violence and seek to hold perpetrators responsible,” The statement partly reads.

“The United States calls on President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar to do their utmost to de-escalate tensions and to uphold their respective obligations under the 2018 peace agreement, including its ceasefire provisions.

The strong worded statement further called on both leaders to resume implementation of key, long-delayed provisions of the revitalized peace agreement, including taking the necessary steps to establish an inclusive process to draft a new constitution, to establish necessary electoral legislation and mechanisms, and to respect the freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.

The Biden administration urged regional states and institutions, namely the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, that are guarantors of the revitalized peace agreement to take swift action to lower tensions and put the peace process back on track prior to the expiration of the already extended transition period.

The US revealed that all sides bear responsibility for the deteriorating situation.

They said, neither President Kiir nor First Vice President Machar have made good faith efforts to implement the provisions of the revitalized peace agreement.

They noted that the two principles have resisted serious attempts to move South Sudan towards the peace, security, and prosperity the South Sudanese people continue to desire.

The US revealed that a number of  political leaders have also failed to carry out their official responsibilities and many engage in political violence that  violate the letter and spirit of the peace agreement.

The Biden administration called on all members of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity to take the actions necessary to be seen as credible in the eyes of the South Sudanese people, starting with full adherence to and implementation of the 2018 peace agreement.