The fallout from the violence has reached Canberra, where many of the South Sudanese community have lost family in the bloodshed.

The crisis in South Sudan began almost three weeks ago after President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy, Riek Machar, of staging a coup.

Mr Machar denied the allegations and accused the president of conducting a violent purge of his opponents.

Peace talks have begun in the nearby Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, but reports from the African republic say fighting continues between Mr Kiir's Dinka tribe and Mr Machar's Lou Nuer rebels.

United Nations officials estimate almost 200,000 civilians have fled their homes and many have sought refuge with overstretched peacekeepers.

The ACT's South Sudanese community held two religious ceremonies this week to mourn those killed and to pray for an end to the fighting.

James Atem Mayen lost a cousin and his wife's uncle to the recent chaos.

The St George Anglican Church counsellor called on the rival leaders to stop the violence and resolve their political differences peacefully.

"We have condemned this human-made disaster," Mr Mayen said.

"We fear our nation will lose more lives if these acts of violence continue."

Mr Mayen said Mr Kiir and Mr Machar had failed the world's newest nation.

"You have poorly handled this conflict which has terminally ended thousands of lives and left hundreds of thousands homeless,'' he said. "Our leaders have not shown mercy and care for the people they lead.

"We have lost enough lives. Come to dialogue to solve your political power struggle without further loss."

Mr Mayen said his compatriots were grateful to the Australian government for supporting international efforts to intervene in the crisis.

"We wish to see peacekeeping troops deployed in remote parts of the country where they will protect civilians.

"We are urging the international community to not only intervene in rescuing lives but also investigate quickly and hold accountable those found to be responsible for the crimes.

"The best healing as a process to true reconciliation is to see those responsible being brought to justice."