Japanese ambassador to South Sudan has called for early deployment of the Regional Protection Force in Juba to provide security.

Kiya Mashiko says some of the projects Japan was supporting are not progressing because of the conflict.

These include the construction of one of the main bridges in Juba worth over 40 million dollars.

Mr Kiya says the projects may resume if there are assurances on security, which he says could be possible after the deployment of the regional protection force.

He spoke to Eye Radio in Juba last evening at an event marking the International Day for Rural Women.

On Monday, the UN undersecretary general for peacekeeping operations was to present to the Security Council a confidential assessment on challenges affecting UNMISS and the deployment of a Regional Protection Force in South Sudan.

His findings were to inform a report of the Secretary-General Ban ki-Moon.

The resolution on the deployment of the protection force says South Sudan faces an arms embargo if the government does not cooperate in the deployment of the force and does not give access to UNMISS patrols.

The government has given its consent to the deployment.