The United Nations Secretary-General “underscored” during a phone call with the President of South Sudan on Tuesday that the UN “looks forward to continuing to work closely with the Government of South Sudan, including with the new members of President Salva Kiir’s cabinet once they are confirmed.” Ban Ki-moon also noted he was “pleased to note that calm had prevailed after last week’s cabinet reshuffle.”

Nevertheless, the situation in Jonglei state, where some 100,000 people were displaced fleeing clashes between the government and armed groups, remains a matter of concern for the Secretary-General. He called on the South Sudan government to ensure the protection of civilians.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has recently announced that food distribution in Jonglei's Pibor county has been suspended due to insecurity. “Following the shooting of civilians on 31 July, aid organizations paused distributions pending investigations and security guarantees for aid workers and civilians,” said OCHA.

File photo: President Salva Kiir and UNSG Ban Ki-moon (UN Photo/Rick Bajornas)