JMEC Chairman Festus Mogae discussed the deployment of regional force protection with President Salva Kiir, First Vice President Taban Deng, and other SPLM-IO members according to a JMEC statement.
Kiir has said in previous days that a regional force is not an option to maintain a ceasefire in Juba between the SPLM and the SPLM-IO. Rebel leader Riek Machar says he will not return to Juba unless a third force secures the capital.
It is unclear what Kiir told Mogae about a regional force.
Mogae also said that the appointment of Taban Deng as First Vice President should be decided be considered by the JMEC partners.
“This is a matter that should be considered and deliberated upon by the JMEC members, both the South Sudanese and our International Partners” JMEC said in the statement.
JMEC also said that it “intends to resume meetings of its members in Juba as soon as is feasible”.