UN peacekeeping official warns against violence escalation in South Sudan

UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- UN Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Bintou Keita on Tuesday warned of risk of violence escalation in South Sudan.

While telling the Security Council that the deployment of the Regional Protection Force (RPF) in South Sudan "is making good and tangible progress," Keita pointed out that certain operations of the UN Mission in the country (UNMISS) "continue to be impeded" by the national authorities and the security situation in South Sudan "remains precarious."

Keita said she was particularly concerned by "the real risk of an escalation in violence with the onset of the dry season," and the government's push to assert military dominance across the country.

She also requested the Security Council to press the Sudanese government to uphold its obligations and cease obstructions and restrictions of movement imposed on both UN uniformed personnel patrols and human rights officers.

Keita underlined the importance of having "unified and unconditional international support" to the political process.

"It will be crucial for the government and all political parties to constructively engage in the peace agreement revitalization process, and start by immediately ceasing all hostilities and taking defensive military position," she concluded. Enditem