A regional protection force should enter Juba immediately to protect freedom of movement, and the United States would rethink its assistance if South Sudan’s leaders do not help their own country, said John Kerry, America’s top diplomat on Monday.
South Sudan’s government has strongly resisted a regional protection force that was mandated at the UN Security Council, saying it violates the country’s sovereignty.
“This is not an intervention force, this is a protection force with a very clear mandate to be able to protect people,” Kerry said during a press conference in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi.
The US top diplomat said that the protection force will help to stabilize the county and attract investment that could give civilians jobs.
Sources inside the government said that the transitional legislature has been tasked with deciding whether to accept the regional protection force.
Kerry also said that the controversial appointment of Taban Deng was allowed under the peace agreement agreement, according to a quote from Eye Radio.
He also announced nearly $138 million in aid for medicine, water and food for the people of South Sudan. The United States says it is the largest supplier of humanitarian assistance in South Sudan, but Kerry said that may not continue.
“This is not forever, we are not just going to fill in a void. We are not just going to provide help incessantly if (the government) are not willing to do the things nessecary to help their people,” he said.