The US Congressional Subcommittee on Africa says the government and the region should engage in dialogue in order to expedite the deployment of the regional protection force to Juba.

On 12 August, the UN 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 aUS-drafted resolution that also threatened to impose an arms embargo on South Sudan if the government blocks the deployment.

Christopher Henry Smith, the U.S. Representative for New Jersey’s 4th congressional district, serving since 1981. He is a member of the Republican Party, and the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations at the U.S. House of Representatives.

In an exclusive interview with Eye Radio’s Nichola Mandil, on Saturday at the end of his two-day visit to Juba, Mr. Christopher Smith, also urged the African Union to expedite the formation of the hybrid court for South Sudan as stipulated in the peace agreement.