File photo shows chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma attending a press briefing at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Jan. 29, 2014. (Xinhua/Meng Chenguang)

ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) has expressed deep concern over the recent fighting in South Sudan.

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the outgoing Chairperson of the AU Commission, has expressed deep concern over the deterioration of the security situation in South Sudan in recent weeks, according to an AU statement on Tuesday.

The chairperson is alarmed by reports regarding the rising violations of the ceasefire, heightened hostilities in the Greater Upper Nile and Greater Equatoria regions, which has caused more refugees to flee into neighboring states, and an increase in internally displaced persons in the country, the statement said.

The recent fighting has exacerbated the already dire humanitarian situation, it noted.

Dlamini-Zuma called on the various parties to the peace agreement to restrain from further hostile activities and uphold the ceasefire to the letter and spirit.

The AU High Representative for South Sudan, former Mali President Alpha Omar Konare, will shortly begin consultations in South Sudan and in the region to help address these growing challenges, according to the statement.