UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed South Sudan’s approval of deployment of a protection force.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, the Secretary-General welcomed the communiqué of the Heads of State and Government of IGAD Plus countries, which proposed the deployment of the force, agreed at a regional meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Mr. Ban Ki-moon praised the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, IGAD, leaders for their decisive action and welcomes the Government of South Sudan’s acceptance of a regional protection force.

Mr. Ban urged all South Sudanese leaders to set aside their personal differences and demonstrate their commitment to the implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, which he says remains the only viable path to ending the crisis.

“The Secretary-General remains deeply concerned about the continued fighting in the country and calls for an immediate end to the hostilities,” partly read the statement.

“He is outraged by the continued reports of serious human rights violations and abuses, including widespread sexual violence against women and young girls, committed by armed men in uniform.”

He calls on all parties to uphold their responsibility to protect civilians and demands that they take immediate steps to hold accountable those responsible for these blameworthy crimes.

The Secretary-General reiterated his commitment to work with all South Sudanese, IGAD, the African Union and international partners, to implement the recommendations of IGAD’s summit.