South Sudan’s Defense Minister Kuol Manyany Juuk said there is no need for the deployment of the Regional Protection Force (RPF), citing improved security situation in the capital Juba.
In November last year, South Sudan government accepted the deployment of a UN-mandated regional force in Juba after months of hesitation after soaring violence erupted in Juba in July.
“Some people still claim that there is fighting in Juba and that the regional protection force should be sent to secure Juba. But Juba is now secure,”Kuol said during a thanksgiving prayer at Freedom Hall on Sunday.
However, the official admitted that some criminal groups are still blocking roads and killing people at night.”We acknowledge that there are problems in South Sudan and it is our duty as government to resolve these challenges,” he said.
Kuol accused the United Nations of compiling reports based individuals sometimes. Minister Juuk also rejected demands to revive the signed peace agreement, while calling upon the international community to support his government in order to restore peace and stability in the country.
“There are individuals now calling for renegotiation on the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. This is interference with another country’s sovereignty, and we totally reject that, I also call upon South Sudanese citizens to reject this. We are not toys, but a nation,” said Juuk.
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