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Unity gov't tops UN chief's visit to South Sudan

Xinhua, February 26, 2016 Adjust font size:

Delays in the formation of a transitional government of national unity top agenda of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's visit to war-torn South Sudan.

Ban who is winding up his term at the helm of the UN arrived at Juba Airport on Thursday after visiting crisis-stricken Burundi and DR Congo.

"He is coming here to push forward the peace process that has been signed and the president assured him of his commitment to implement this agreement," South Sudan Foreign Minister Barnaba Marial told reporters after the UN boss had met President Salva Kiir in a closed meeting that lasted more than one hour in Juba.

Marial said the UN Secretary-General also assured the president that he will urge rebel leader Riek Machar to come as soon as possible so that the transitional government of national unity can be formed.

This came at a time when the two protagonists are contemplating forming a unity government in March, according to Minister of Information Makuei Lueth in his Tuesday comments to journalists.

South Sudan's political rivals signed the regional bloc Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) brokered peace deal in August last year to end more than 21-month of conflict in the impoverished oil rich country that calls for cessation of hostilities and formation of a transitional government of national unity which is behind schedule due to intransigence on both sides on modalities of security arrangements.

"The two leaders also discussed the relations between the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and South Sudan that there should be more cooperation," Marial said.

Ban's visit came after gunmen opened fire at civilians in protection of the civilians camp (poc) in Malakal, killing more than 18 people and wounding scores this month.

"They also touched on humanitarian issues which the president assured the secretary general that all humanitarian agencies will be given access to deliver food to all areas of South Sudan that need relief," Marial said.

During the meeting, Ban also assured President Kiir that the UN will do its best to assist South Sudan once it has political stability, transitional government of national unit.

According to the UN, over 1.6 million South Sudanese are internally displaced and over 616,000 people have fled to neighbouring states with severe food insecurity affecting 4.6 million in the region. Endit