The United States on Tuesday expressed concern over “growing tensions” in South Sudan, urging all the parties to respect a September 2018 peace deal that ended the nearly five-year civil war.

The call comes days after the armed opposition group (SPLM/A-IO) led by Riek Machar withdrew from the ceasefire monitoring body (CTSAMVM).

“We call for both sides to observe fully their obligations under the existing peace agreement and note that inflammatory rhetoric is counterproductive and should cease immediately,” said Ned Price, Department Spokesperson.

He said 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.

Washington urged President Kiir and First Vice President Machar to do their utmost to de-escalate tensions and to uphold their respective obligations under the 2018 peace agreement, including its ceasefire provisions.

“We call 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,” said Price.

Further calls were also made for the regional states and institutions such as the regional bloc (IGAD), 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 in February 2023.

“All sides bear responsibility for the deteriorating situation.  Neither President Kiir nor First Vice President Machar have made good faith efforts to implement the provisions of the revitalized peace agreement, and both have resisted serious attempts to move South Sudan towards the peace, security, and prosperity the South Sudanese people continue to desire,” stressed Price.

The U.S official further 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.