South Sudanese will receive the peace they deserve if signatories to the revitalized peace agreement fully and inclusively implement it, a Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) official said.

“Today South Sudan is in a crossroad. The future of its people relies on the signatories to the peace agreement to fully and inclusively implement it, both in letter and spirit,” NPA’s Secretary General, Henriette Westhrin told reporters in the capital, Juba on Tuesday.

She made the remarks at the end of a week-long visit to the country.

Westhrin also expressed concerns over the “looming” escalation of violence in the country, saying the road ahead remains a challenge.

In September last year, South Sudanese arch-foes signed a revitalized peace agreement, aimed at ending the devastating civil war that killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions.

The top official said the international community must remain seized of the situation throughout the implementation of the peace accord.

“If necessary progress is made and the parties show the political will to implement the provisions of the revitalized peace agreement, it should also include offering adequate funding,” she said.

Westhrin further said there is need for a continued inclusive peace process, which includes both men and women in political and public life.

Meanwhile the official said NPA is searching for new donors to ensure civil society organizations in South Sudan are supported.

“The shrinking space of civil society to act and work is something that we see in many the countries where we work, including South Sudan and we want to stand up to this,” she stressed.

Operational in South Sudan since 1986, NPA has been providing humanitarian and development assistance to its people in thematic areas like food security, livelihood, health and demining.