Susan Page, US Ambassador to South Sudan, delivering a peace message to Eye Radio - 2014.

The United States Embassy in Juba has condemned the recent fighting in Malakal, capital of Upper Nile State, and described it as further blatant disregard of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.

The Government and the SPLM-SPLA in Opposition signed an agreement on cessation of hostilities on the 23^rd of January.

Fighting broke out in Malakal yesterday between government forces and forces loyal to the former Vice-President, Dr. Riek Machar.

In a press release this morning, the U.S Embassy in Juba said the fighting in Malakal endangers the lives of civilians and threatens further instability in Upper Nile State.

The Embassy said armed conflict and violence will not solve this crisis. It added that continued military conflict will only prolong the violence and make the humanitarian crisis worse.

The U.S. Embassy in Juba calls on both sides to immediately abide by the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and to engage in serious negotiations at the peace talks in Addis Ababa.

The Embassy said it is of paramount importance for the Government to name and send immediately its representatives to the Joint Technical Committee so that the Monitoring and Verification Teams can begin their work monitoring the Agreement under the auspices of IGAD.

The statement further said the United States continues to support a political solution that reflects the collective voices of the people of South Sudan.