A South Sudanese observer has urged the coalition government in the capital Juba to cooperate with the United Nations-authorized regional protection force.

A row broke out recently between South Sudan government and the United Nations, the government said the mandate giving the Regional Protection Forces (RPF) control of its airport was a breach of national sovereignty.

The first batch of RPF forces from Rwanda arrived in Juba earlier this month.

In August 2016, the UN Security Council had authorized the deployment of a 4,000-strong protection force to protect key installations in Juba after fighting resumed in July 2016.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj in an interview on Wednesday, Dr. James Okuk, a renowned political analyst and political science lecturer at the University of Juba said the recent row between the government and the United Nations was due to lack of clarity.

He further said the UN Security Council has not clarified how the regional protection force will be operating In Juba. The political analyst has urged the UN mission in South Sudan and the unity government to work together.

Okuk pointed out that lack of cooperation could lead to further tensions in the country, adding that any discussion about South Sudan’s sovereignty now is meaningless.

He stressed that the government of South Sudan cannot modify the UN Security Council resolution. “If Juba needs to adjust the resolution, it will require diplomatic efforts with New York,” he said.