Power said that some good commitments came out of the trip, with the Transitional Government of National Unity announcing its acceptance to the deployment of the regional protection force.
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South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, ravaged by nearly three years of civil war, has given consent to the deployment of an additional regional force of 4,000 troops that will serve under the United Nations to beef up security in the capital, Juba. Ateny described it as a diplomatic victory for the government.
A 4,000-strong East African military unit the United Nations Security Council recently authorised for South Sudan is designed as a “protection”, not an “intervention” force, UN diplomats have said.
Kiir had previously said that the deployment of the peacekeeping force was a violation of South Sudan’s sovereignty.
In early July, close to the fifth anniversary of the country’s independence, the youngest nation was plunged into fresh violence due to clashes between rival forces – the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), loyal to President Salva Kiir, and the SPLA in Opposition, backing former first vice-president Riek Machar.
Both government and rebel forces have been accused of widespread abuses in the recent fighting and during the civil war that began in December 2013 between supporters of Kiir and Machar.
During a meeting with key ministers of President Salva Kiir’s government, the ambassadors of 15 member states of the Security Council explained the importance and the need to deploy these additional forces that consist of 4,000 soldiers to southern Sudan. “So this is a protection force”.
Minister Lomoro also underscored that the government committed “to permit free movement to UNMISS in conformity with its mandate” and “improve humanitarian access, including by providing assistance by eliminating illegal check points”.
A transitional government between President Salva Kiir and ex-rebel leader Riek Machar, created to end the conflict, was thrown into turmoil in July when another round of violence between forces loyal to them left at least 270 people dead.
The communique further states that the Transitional Government has expressed its readiness to implement chapter 5 of the agreement on the resolution of the conflict in South Sudan, and would work with African Union in setting up the hybrid court for South Sudan.
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United Nations peacekeepers have been deployed in South Sudan since 2011, when the country gained independence from Sudan. When fighting erupted in the capital, Juba, in July, hundreds were killed and residents feared a return to civil war in the already devastated country.
