New Delhi, Dec. 19 -- Three governments that were central to South Sudan's peace process urged leaders on Thursday to end renewed fighting and focus on implementing the peace agreement that ended a deadly conflict, warning against a return to violence.

In a joint statement, the United States, the United Kingdom and Norway, who were the central mediators and guarantors of the peace deal, criticized President Salva Kiir for leading a government that isn't in line with the power-sharing principles agreed upon during the signing of the peace agreement in 2018.

The country's former rebel leader, who became one of the vice presidents after the peace deal, Riek Machar, is currently detained and facing treason charges that he denies.

U.N. peac...