The United States urged the UN Security Council on Friday to back a regional force for South Sudan to shore up UN peacekeepers unable to cope with the ongoing violence.
The council adopted a resolution extending the mandate of the United Nations mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) until August 12 to allow time to negotiate another measure authorising the new force.
The proposed resolution is also expected to slap an arms embargo on South Sudan and targeted sanctions on those seen as responsible for the violence.
US Ambassador Samantha Power said the proposal by the East African regional bloc IGAD to send an intervention force to Juba should be supported by the council.
“We all need to support them,” said Power.
“The United States believes the region’s proposal offers a basis to re-establish a secure environment in Juba, which is critical for the parties to make progress on implementing the peace agreement” and allowing aid deliveries, she added.
Juba was rocked by several days of heavy fighting in early July between government forces and those loyal to rebel leader Riek Machar, the latest upsurge in the two and half year war.