Dr Barnaba Marial Benjamin, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Barnaba Marial Benjamin has told the UN Security Council to divert the funds meant for using drones in South Sudan to humanitarian assistance.

The council on Friday adopted a resolution drafted by the United States, requesting the U.N. Secretary-General to prioritize the deployment of remaining troops, military helicopters and drones in South Sudan.

The resolution also extended the peacekeeping mandate of UNMISS until the 15^th of December.

Dr Marial says there is no need for using military drones in the country.

He told Eye Radio that the UN now needs to prioritize the provision of aid to those affected by the conflict in the country.

“South Sudan at this stage does not need drones to be used because we are already implementing peace. There is no war which is going on,” Dr Marial stated.

“So, our position as a government is that, if they have more money to spend on such expensive things like drones, they better divert that money to development and humanitarian issues: resettlement, bringing back refugees and helping the IDPs to go back to their homes.”

The UN says the mission in South Sudan has more than 12,500 uniformed personnel.