The deployment of the Regional Protection Force will help secure roads, the head of UN Peacekeeping Operations has said.

Jean-Pierre Lacroix, who visited South Sudan this week, said one of UN staff was injured during Juba-Nimule road ambush.

The attack, which occurred at Moli area, left five people dead and thirteen other injured. Several people, including an 8-month-old baby are said to be still missing.

Mr. Lacroix calls for speedy deployment of the Regional Protection Force in order to provide security on the roads and areas that are still experiencing violence in the country.

“This is an example where the deployment of the RPF and those capacities that are currently deployed in Juba may be able to use to help secure these areas,” the French diplomat said Thursday.

“This will minimize the risk of these incidents and the increased level of security.”

During his three-day stay in the country, Mr. Lacroix met with President Salva Kiir, First Vice President Taban Deng and some senior government and military officials, among others.

In the meetings, Mr. Lacroix said he discussed with the leadership on the security and humanitarian situation in the country.

He also toured some states to assess the situation on the ground before returning on Thursday.

The 4,000-strong force will be based in Juba to bolster the UNMISS capacity to advance the safety and security of civilians. The first batch is expected to arrive this month.

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