The United States has called on Sudan and South Sudan to formalize the current cease-fire by announcing an agreement to withdraw their forces from disputed areas.

State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters Thursday that there is a glimmer of hope that violence may stop after two days without attacks from either side.

“This follows the African Union proposal of an immediate cease-fire, withdrawal (of forces) and getting the parties back to the (negotiating) table. So what we do not yet have (is) either side formally announcing that they have signed up to the cease-fire. This gives us a glimmer of hope and it's an important step. So we call on both sides, Sudan and South Sudan both, to now formalize cease-fire by so announcing it, to withdraw their forces from disputed areas and to get back into the AUHIP (African Union High Level Implementation Panel) dialogue process.”

The United Nations Security Council this week called for an immediate end to fighting between Sudan and South Sudan. The south gained its independence last year. But a range of unresolved issues between the two sides, has since led to border fighting.

The international community has condemned Sudan's aerial bombing as well as South Sudan's incursion into Sudan's territory.

The African Union on Tuesday gave the two countries 90 days to settle their disputes over oil, citizenship and boundary issues or face binding international arbitration.

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