The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission has urged the Intergovernmental Authority on Development to address the disagreement between the government and the UN over protection of Juba International Airport.

Over the weekend, the government grounded UN flights after a contingent of the Regional Protection Force was deployed to the airport.

This, the government said undermines the sovereignty of the Republic of South Sudan.

But UNMISS argued that it was simply implementing the UN Security Council resolution 2304, which stipulates that the regional protection force is mandated to, among other roles, protect the airport.

“We urge IGAD to convene the meeting between Transitional Government of National Unity, UNMISS and Chiefs of defense of the troops contributed countries with regard to the deployment of the regional protection forces,” JMEC Chairman Festus Mogae, said during a plenary meeting in Juba on Thursday.

He “strongly” commented that the meeting be held in Juba, South Sudan.

The UN Security Council approved the 4,000-strong force last year, a month after the outbreak of deadly violence in Juba.