US National Security Advisor  Susan E. Rice has emphasised the need for a rapid deployment of the Regional Protection Force in South Sudan’s capital Juba, while deploring the South Sudanese government's role in continually obstructing the United Nations Mission in South Sudan's (UNMISS) operations.

This comes during a meeting between Ambassador Suzan Rice and South Sudan’s First Vice President Taban Deng Gai at the White House on Tuesday.

In a statement seen by Radio Tamazuj, Ambassador Rice relayed to Deng that the United States was deeply concerned about the alleged participation of government forces in attacks against humanitarian workers at the Terrain Compound in Juba on 11 July.

She said that the perpetrators of the attack must be identified and held accountable and that an investigation with international support is urgently needed.

Ambassador Rice affirmed the US administration’s strong commitment to support the people of South Sudan and expressed grave concern about the humanitarian conditions and continued fighting in many parts of the country.

Ambassador Rice underscored the need for the South Sudanese government to engage opposition groups in dialogue and ensure that it governs inclusively, with strong participation by women and without domination by a single ethnic group or political party.

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