The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has expressed deep concern about the outbreak of fighting between government troops and opposition fighters in and around Malakal town including intermittent shelling that has been reported over the last few days.

In a statement issued Sunday and seen by Radio Tamazuj, UNMISS said the situation in the town of Malakal remained tense following fighting between the SPLA and the SPLA-IO.

"The Mission continues to patrol regularly in Malakal and reports that the town is largely deserted," partly reads the statement.

The UN mission reiterated its call on all parties to immediately cease hostilities and fully implement the signed peace agreement.

However, UNMISS promised that it will continue to act within its capacity to protect South Sudanese civilians in imminent danger. It also called on all parties to silence the guns to enable the movement of humanitarian aid and personnel to affected areas.

File photo: Aerial view of Malakal