US Ambassador to South Sudan Thomas Hushek on Wednesday paid a brief visit to the Lakes State capital, Rumbek to assess the security situation in the region.

Addressing government officials at the state secretariat, Ambassador Hushek said Washington is committed to ensure peace prevails in South Sudan.

“We are excited and we think that people in every corner of South Sudan expect peace to be given a chance,” said Hushek.

He added, “We are here to look at how improved security is benefiting the people of South Sudan. We call it peace dividends”.

The senior US official said he met with President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar before the 32 states were relinquished.

“I have just come from Juba and I can tell you the mood is very good. I happened to have seen President Kiir on the same day he made an announcement about the states and after a few hours, I saw the vice president and main opposition leader Dr. Riek Machar. Everyone in Juba is working for peace,” he said.

During his Rumbek tour, Ambassador Hushek also visited Loreto Girls and Abukloi secondary schools and Rumbek Civic Engagement Center where he met members of the civil society network.

For his part, Martin Maciec Kuc, the secretary general of Lakes State, said the situation has been calm since the 32 states were dissolved. He said the people of Lakes State have welcomed the president’s decision on the states.

On 15 February, President Kiir made a key compromise by cutting the 32 states back down to the original 10 - a key opposition demand - to pave the way for a transitional government of national unity.

President Salva Kiir and SPLM-IO leader Riek Machar said they agreed to form the transitional government on Saturday - even if not all their differences have been resolved.