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The Chairman of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission says the protection force authorized by the United Nations Security Council is for peace in South Sudan, but not for war.

On the 12th of this month, the Security Council authorized the deployment of a robust force of 4,000 troops to South Sudan after heavy fighting that broke out in Juba last month.

The Council adopted a US-drafted resolution that also threatened to impose an arms embargo on South Sudan if the government blocks the deployment.

The former President of Botswana, Festus Mogae, urged the parties to the peace agreement to accept the deployment of the regional force and mobilize the South Sudanese public for peace.

He spoke to the media following a meeting with President Salva Kiir and the First Vice President Taban Deng Gai in Juba yesterday.

“The protection force is something that has been authorized by the United Nations, but as I said, it is a protection force for peace not for war. We would hope that the authorities would take it as such,” Mr Festus said.
“They would engage with international community on what is acceptable and what is not acceptable rather than blanket rejection.

We are going to be working with the President and the First Vice President in implementing the peace agreement and that we will seek their guidance, we will still give our advice, but we will also listen and seek their advice as we go forward, because the important thing is the building of peace,” he said.

He added: “We would hope that they would succeed in mobilizing all South Sudanese behind peace so that even when they have disagreement, they do so peacefully.”

Mr. Mogae said he assured President Salva Kiir and the First Vice President Taban Deng Gai that JMEC will continue to help them implement the peace agreement.