United Nations is urging the mediators to re-engage the warring parties to de-escalate the current situation, prevent further international human rights and humanitarian law violations and move the negotiation process forward.
UN agencies in a joint statement express deep concern over reports of escalating violence against civilians especially women and children in South Sudan.
They lament that reports indicated serious violations and abuses of human rights and humanitarian law since the middle of April this year and ongoing as fighting intensifies between government and Opposition forces in Unity and Upper Nile States.
The agencies say they are appalled at the large scale, widespread violations and abuses reported, including killings, women and children abduction, rape and other forms of sexual violence, recruitment and use of children, looting and destruction of property.
They remind the warring parties to ensure full protection of civilians, especially women and children and to spare them from the effects of hostilities.
The agencies call on them to immediately to stop ongoing violations and abuses, issue clear orders for the immediate release of recruited children, prohibit sexual violence and take concrete steps to identify and hold perpetrators accountable.
They call on the warring parties to facilitate access for humanitarian actors to continue providing life-saving assistance to affected population.