Fighting resumes in South Sudan

Fighting has again broken out in South Sudan, just days after a ceasefire was announced.

An armed South Sudanese government soldier stands near a village in Bor where an exchange of heavy artillery fire rocked the strategic town on January 26, 2014. (File: Getty)

(Transcript from World News Australia Radio)

Fighting has again broken out in South Sudan, just days after a ceasefire was announced.

Rebel forces claim they have been attacked in the Unity State and the Upper Nile, following heavy fighting over the weekend in Jonglei State.

Nikki Canning reports.

South Sudanese rebels and government forces are accusing each other of starting clashes in the world's newest nation.

South Sudan president Salva Kiir had said he hoped a ceasefire deal announced last week would end the fighting and let people displaced by the conflict return to their homes.

"Many people ... have now been displaced. And we want these people to return to their homes."

But those hopes have now been dashed.

Lieutenant General of Jonglei Operations Malual Mayom Dhor says there has been almost constant fighting north of the capital, Juba, since Thursday.

"Yesterday, we had a radio message from the SPLA headquarters telling us about the cessation of hostilities, but now they are attacking."

Whoever is to blame for breaking the ceasefire, ordinary people are yet again caught in the middle, and many are scared.

Those who have packed into camps to take refuge from the fighting in recent weeks are in no rush to go home.

David Gai is among them.

"The security (situation) up to now is still a crisis outside. We cannot go unless the security is maintained in a good manner."

His view is backed up by another displaced resident, Lual Gony.

"I am not feeling that I must just go back to my house because I'm fearing that I might be shot outside. There is not any security there on the outside."

Meanwhile, the United Nations is calling for tough monitoring of the supposed ceasefire in South Sudan.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development, a group of East African nations, brokered the ceasefire and plans to send observers to South Sudan to monitor the truce.

But critics say the 18 unarmed observers will not be able to keep up with events with the large country poorly served for transport links.

UN acting deputy spokesman Farhan Haq has described the situation as fragile.

"Violence in South Sudan, which started over six weeks ago, has left more than half a million people displaced, including more than 112,000 people who have fled to neighbouring countries."

Mr Haq says there are still around 76,000 South Sudanese sheltering in eight UN camps across the country.

Aid groups say up to 10,000 people have been killed in the conflict.