The United Nations says the number of people reported to have been displaced by the violence has risen to 180,000.

The European Union delegation in Juba has urged President Kiir to engage in dialogue with his former deputy, Riek Machar, in a bid to end the crisis in the country.

A high-level delegation of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region has arrived in Juba to meet President Kiir to try to end the fighting.

The chairman of the Sudanile Christian Democratic Party, Manyang Parek, is urging President Kiir and Riek Machar to reconcile.

The army says about 1,000 SPLA soldiers have been wounded in recent clashes with forces loyal to Riek Machar.