The United Nations on Saturday called for a halt to fighting in South Sudan after the government launched a fresh attack on Kodok area in Upper Nile this week.

“We are disturbed by the escalation of violence and subsequent suffering of civilians in South Sudan as a result of the recent government offensive,” Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said in a statement seen by Radio Tamazuj.

“We urge the Government and other warring parties to cease hostilities, uphold their responsibility to protect civilians and cooperate with the United Nations and other humanitarian actors to ensure safe access to all civilians in imminent danger along the West Bank of the River Nile.”

Dujarric further said the renewed upsurge in fighting represents a callous and blatant disregard of the pledges made during the 25 March 2017 IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) Summit to implement a ceasefire and to facilitate humanitarian access.

Earlier this week, the United Nations said some 50,000 people in Kodok, many of whom fled fighting six weeks ago in Wau Shilluk, were at risk from the violence.