US urges deployment of S/Sudan ‘protection force’

US Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday called for the deployment of a 4,000-strong “protection force” to bolster the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan. “There is absolutely no question that we need to move forward with the deployment of the regional protection force authorised by the UN Security Council,” Kerry said after meeting with […]

US Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday called for the deployment of a 4,000-strong “protection force” to bolster the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.
“There is absolutely no question that we need to move forward with the deployment of the regional protection force authorised by the UN Security Council,” Kerry said after meeting with five regional foreign ministers in the Kenyan capital Nairobi.
Kenyan Foreign Minister Amina Mohamed also urged a speedy deployment. “When should it be there? Sooner rather than later,” she said.
The 4,000 new troops will join 12,000 already deployed as part of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) which has been widely criticised for its serial failure to protect civilians.
Meanwhile, The secretary of state announced the United States would be giving $138 million in new aid to South Sudan, which he said would be used for food, water, and medicine for those in need.