New Delhi, Oct. 8 -- An international ceasefire monitor says parties to South Sudan 's faltering peace agreement have recruited new fighters and abducted children to participate in a conflict that observers have warned could widen again into civil war.

Tuesday's statement in the capital, Juba, said South Sudan's military in June opened a recruitment drive for 4,000 forces for peacekeeping and other purposes and that it opened a new training center in August.

The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, or RJMEC, is a ceasefire monitoring body overseen by a regional bloc known as IGAD.

Its statement also said the body had received reports that all sides in the conflict have abducted or mobilized children to participate,...