South Sudan mediators condemn renewed fighting between government and rebels

A family of the Nuer ethnic group seeking medication and food, but who were planning to later return to their village in a Nuer rebel-controlled area, prepare to board a canoe to traverse a flooded area too deep to walk through, as they try to reach a makeshift camp for the displaced situated in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) base in the town of Bentiu, South Sudan Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014. Seyoum Mesfin, the chairman of the South Sudan mediation process said Saturday there is renewed fighting in South Sudan between government and rebel troops and that it is a purposeful act aimed at derailing the next phase of the peace process. (AP Photo/Matthew Abbott) (The Associated Press)

Rebel soldiers guard the village of Majieng, about 6km from the town of Bentiu, in South Sudan Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014. Seyoum Mesfin, the chairman of the South Sudan mediation process said Saturday there is renewed fighting in South Sudan between government and rebel troops and that it is a purposeful act aimed at derailing the next phase of the peace process. (AP Photo/Matthew Abbott) (The Associated Press)

A rebel soldier patrols through a flooded area near the town of Bentiu, South Sudan Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014. Seyoum Mesfin, the chairman of the South Sudan mediation process said Saturday there is renewed fighting in South Sudan between government and rebel troops and that it is a purposeful act aimed at derailing the next phase of the peace process. (AP Photo/Matthew Abbott) (The Associated Press)

Mediators of the conflict in South Sudan say there is renewed fighting there between government and rebel troops.

Seyoum Mesfin, the chairman of the South Sudan mediation process by the regional block IGAD, Saturday condemned the fighting in Renk County in the Upper Nile state.

He says the fighting is a purposeful act aimed at derailing the next phase of the peace process.

South Sudan descended into conflict mid-December when troops loyal to former Vice President Riek Machar clashed with those loyal to President Salva Kiir in what government claimed was a coup attempt. There has been sporadic fighting between the government and rebels despite the signing of two peace agreements during mediation process in Ethiopia.

More than 1 million people have fled their homes since the conflict began.