David Shearer, head of the United Nations in South Sudan (UNMISS) said a window of opportunity for compromise over the 2015 peace accord by warring parties is narrow.

“The parties have shown little interest in engaging in serious negotiations on the way forward, despite the various initiatives aimed at finding a political solution to the conflict,” David Shearer,” Shearer told the Security Council on Tuesday.

“With only a few months remaining in the transitional period stipulated under the peace agreement, external momentum to support peace is not keeping pace with developments in the country, he added.

He urged the international community to show a unity of purpose to support an implementable peace process that leads to credible elections in due course, but only after a period of transition marked by inclusivity and stability.

Shearer further said political mediation through the high-level revitalization forum of the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) must be the central conflict resolution strategy.

On the humanitarian situation, Shearer said the total number of people in need of aid in the country has risen to 7.6 million, citing UN agencies assessment.

He also said the splintering of opposition forces also has a negative consequence for humanitarian efforts. “For example, the World Food Programme’s regular convoys to Yambio – two days’ travel from the capital, Juba – now requires 13 separate permissions from armed groups along its route,”he said.

Shearer revealed that the Mission will soon open a permanent presence in Yei and reinforce presence in Torit and Yambio to deter violence and human rights abuses, and build confidence for people to be able to safely return to their homes.