ADDIS ABABA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia should continue its "vital role" in South Sudan peace talks, a South Sudanese official said on Saturday.

Speaking to Xinhua, James Morgan, South Sudan Ambassador to Ethiopia and the AU, said his government and people appreciate neighboring Ethiopia for hosting peace talks ever since civil war broke out in December 2013.

South Sudan descended into violence in December 2013, after a political dispute between President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Machar led to split in the army, leaving soldiers to fight alongside ethnic lines.

"African problem should be solved by African people, we don't need to invite outsiders from outside Africa to solve our issues, Ethiopia is playing that role," said Morgan.

He further said while South Sudan government appreciates Ethiopia for hosting more than a half million South Sudanese refugees, Ethiopia's continued role in South Sudan peace talks also ensures the South Sudan civil war doesn't spill over to Ethiopia.

With South Sudan only gaining independence from Sudan in July 2011, becoming the world's youngest nation, Morgan said assistance and advice from Ethiopia which is one of Africa's oldest nations is much appreciated.

"As a young nation there are a lot of stumbling blocks ahead of us, we will count on Ethiopia to guide us and lead us in the process," said Morgan.

Ethiopia has hosted several rounds of South Sudan peace talks ever since civil war broke out in South Sudan more than four years ago.

Ethiopia is also a key player in the East African Bloc, The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) that is mediating an end to the conflict between South Sudan warring sides.

Ethiopia was also host to a peace agreement signed in August 2015, between South Sudan President Salva Kiir and his ex-deputy Riek Machar.

Renewed fighting in July 2016, however, led to the weakening of the agreement with South Sudan government and rebels accusing each other of restarting the hostilities.