IGAD says both the government and the SPLM in Opposition forces violated the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement between December and January.

The Monitoring and Verification Mechanism says the government forces exchanged gunfire with SPLA in Opposition in Nassir between Dec 29 and Jan 5.

The report says they clashed near the eastern side of the UNMISS County Support Base and Ket-beck village area.

The monitors say the clash followed a provocation by the government troops, including patrols near the areas under the control of the SPLA in Opposition and burnings of bushes and huts.

It also says that on January 8, the SPLA in Opposition attacked the village of Jamam in Upper Nile State. This area was confirmed on 13 December as being under the control of the government.

IGAD has called on both sides to refrain from violence and implement the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.