At least one thousand South Sudanese have protested across the country following an African Union proposal to send peacekeepers to Juba, according to the United Nations.
At the National Legislative Assembly, protestors held signs that read “Leave, leave UNMISS”, and shouted down a speech of the deputy speaker Mark Nyipuoch, who opposed the protests.
The demonstration was organized by some civil society organizations, while rejected by others.
The A.U. recently proposed sending in a regional force to separate the government and opposition parties following fighting in Juba. Officially, the government has rejected the African Union proposal, saying they are not ready to accept more peacekeepers.
Edmund Yakani, the executive director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, denounced the demonstration and said that those who protested have misinterpreted the A.U. proposal.
He claimed that President Kiir has assured the president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace in the Vatican that a third force would be allowed in Juba.
“We are with any means that can bring stability to South Sudan” Yakani said.