The head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Wednesday urged the Security Council to unite behind a common strategy for advancing the political process and peace in the crisis-torn country.

Addressing the 15-member council in New York, David Shearer, said that “unity of purpose will send the best signal to South Sudan’s political leaders to focus first and foremost on the plight of their citizens.”

The top UN official also called for a “coherent and unified regional position” to aid political developments in the country, noting that governments in the region hold “significant influence” on political developments to end the three-year war but are not communicating the same message.

Shearer’s briefing comes as President Salva Kiir again declared a unilateral ceasefire from Juba and pledged to review the cases of political prisoners.

Shearer further said these announcements are “very welcome” but “the proof of the pudding, as they say, is in the eating.” He noted that there will be close scrutiny on the number of prisoners released and whether the ceasefire monitoring group can perform its work.

He told the Security Council: “While the National Dialogue could bring a welcome focus on reconciliation, for it to be credible, it will need the genuine participation of opposition constituencies.". Shearer pointed out that although inter-communal conflicts persist across the country, the signing of a joint cessation of hostilities agreement between the Bor and Pibor communities in Jonglei was commendable.

He also lauded the work of humanitarians throughout the country, noting that this is one of the toughest operational environments and condemned “the unacceptable levels of violence that continue to be directed towards aid workers,” including detention, threats, arrests, assault and killings.

On Wednesday, the UN Security Council began its work by unanimously adopting a resolution renewing until 31 May 2018 a host of sanctions, including a travel ban and asset freeze imposed by its resolution 2206 (2015), on those designated to be blocking peace, security and stability in South Sudan.

Notice of Correction: An earlier version of this story said that the UN official expressed concern over the exclusion of rebel chief Riek Machar from the national dialogue launched by President Kiir. This was based on a remark by UNMISS chief taken out of context. He was in fact saying “while the National Dialogue could bring a welcome focus on reconciliation, for it to be credible, it will need the genuine participation of opposition constituencies."