The Security Council renewed the mandate of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan until August 12th, determining that the situation in South Sudan constituted a threat to international peace and security.
The decision was taken unanimously by the fifteen member Security Council, and it comes while an African regional force is expected to be debated.
“Time is not on our side,” said U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power, and drew attention to “very disturbing” reports emerging from the country.
An IGAD summit this week is expected to be crucial in the decision to send African Union forces to demilitarize the capital.
Amr Abdellatif Aboulatta of Egypt said that peace in South Sudan could only prevail if efforts were rallied between the Council and the African Union, and hoped that next week’s Intergovernmental Authority summit would lead to a solution as soon possible.
Liu Jieyi of China supported the role of IGAD as the main channel of negotiations, and said the challenge was now to find a solution that reflected the situation on the ground and respected the sovereignty of states, as well as the principles of peacekeeping