Peace partners say they will not “tolerate” any failure by the Transitional Government of National Unity, TGoNU, to facilitate deployment of the regional protection force.

In August, the Security Council authorized a 4,000-strong regional protection force within the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.

The force is “responsible for providing a secure environment in and around Juba” which in early July witnessed the latest eruption of deadly violence, worsening an already desperate humanitarian situation, according to the UN.

However, the force has not yet been deployed as consultations are now reportedly taking place between South Sudan and the region on the modalities of the deployment. The government is yet to comment on the matter.

In a joint statement seen by Eye Radio, JMEC says its partners, have urged the TGoNU to take urgent steps to allow for the deployment of the RPF.

“A failure to do this cannot and will not be tolerated by the regional and international community,” partly read the statement.

The partners also warned against continuous restriction of activities of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.

“The TGNU must also allow UNMISS to fulfill its mandate without restrictions or bureaucratic impediments,” it stated.

These calls come after a high-level meeting held in Kampala last week, drawing representatives from the Troika and IGAD member states.

China, Germany, and some African countries including Nigeria were also represented in the meeting which discussed measures to end the conflict in South Sudan.

According to JMEC, the partners have acknowledged that the July incident represented a serious breakdown in the fragile peace agreed in August 2015.

“The situation in Juba remains fragile as tensions rise and violence increases across the rest of South Sudan,” it continued.

The peace partners says they remain gravely concerned about the fragile security environment and the desperate economic and humanitarian situation in the country

They say the ongoing fighting violates the peace agreement and is having a devastating impact on the lives of millions of South Sudanese people.

They then called for immediate cessation of hostilities and encourage all armed groups to join the peace process as the only way forward for resolving political differences:

“We strongly call on all parties to lay down their weapons and engage in peaceful and inclusive political dialogue – not just in Juba, but across the whole of South Sudan.”

The groups say there is no military solution to South Sudan’s problem.

“All parties must demonstrate their commitment to peace by taking meaningful steps to end violence and ceasefire violations,” JMEC partners appealed.

They also called for a genuine and inclusive political process that sees all interests are engaged in shaping the future of the country.

The peace partners define inclusivity as”inviting all parties to join the process peacefully and ensuring genuine representation of the national character in government”.