Peace monitors decry increased violence in South Sudan

The body tasked with monitoring South Sudan's peace agreement has decried the flare-up of armed clashes, ethnic and political tensions, and lawlessness in parts of the war-torn country.

Ambassador Augostino Njoroge, Deputy Chairman of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), said increased armed groups had led to a rise in cases of killings and property damage.

"The political and security situation has become complex. Insurgency, other armed groups and an ongoing conflict especially in some areas of upper Nile, Unity and Equatoria regions further complicates existing ethnic and political tensions," he said, adding plans and efforts to set up cantonment areas for the integration of fighters had become difficult due to the situation.

Njoroge was speaking in South Sudan's capital Juba as he opened a two-day workshop on the integration of fighters in South Sudan.

South Sudan has been shattered by civil war which broke out in December 2013 after President Salva Kiir accused his sacked deputy Riek Machar of plotting a coup. Machar denied the accusation but then mobilized a rebel force.

Tens of thousands have been killed, with over two million displaced and another 4.6 million left severely food insecure since then.

A peace deal signed in August 2015 between the rival leaders under UN pressure led to the establishment of a transitional unity government in April, but was devastated by renewed fighting that erupted in early July.

"We strongly call on all parties to lay down their weapons and engage in peaceful and inclusive implementation process that will enable a safe and effective cantonment process," Njoroge said.

The JMEC is overseeing the implementation of the August 2015 peace deal.

Machar, who was reinstated as Kiir's deputy in April, fled Juba after the July fighting and was later sacked again.

He is now in residence in South Africa and has called for his supporters to topple Kiir's government. Endit