“This is an urgent requirement.” South Sudan is poised to become independent on Saturday, July 9 after five decades of conflict with the north. - AFP (File Photo)

WASHINGTON: The United States continues to be concerned by fighting in South Kordofan, at the border of Sudan and what will become the independent nation of South Sudan, the US State Department said Wednesday.

“We continue... to call on the parties to agree to and implement an immediate cessation of hostilities, to allow unfettered access for aid workers, and to provide the humanitarian assistance into southern Kordofan,” said State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland.

“This is an urgent requirement.” South Sudan is poised to become independent on Saturday, July 9 after five decades of conflict with the north.

But a certain number of key issues remain unresolved, among them the countries' final boundaries, division of oil revenues and the status of citizens in the south who remain living in the north.