USG Lacroix President Kiir meeting statement
I had a very good meeting with His Excellency the President of the Republic of South Sudan. We had a discussion on the peace process on the different initiatives that are converging to helping bring peace back to South Sudan. We discussed about the security situation in its different aspects including the deployment of the Regional Protection Forces (RPF). We also discussed the humanitarian situation.
What I can say on these different issues is, first of all, it was a very good meeting. The President was very generous with his time. We discussed the initiative of the IGAD towards the revitalization of the peace agreement. I think there was a convergence. It is a good thing that IGAD countries are being more engaged in helping South Sudan and its people. We also had a discussion on the role that Uganda is playing in re-uniting the SPLA, which is also an initiative that can help.All these initiatives aiming at bringing together constituencies and leaders is of course very important.
The President also mentioned the National Dialogue and the efforts that are being made which are complimentary to these efforts. We obviously look forward to all these processes moving forward in the direction of peace and stability in this country.
On the security side, there is of course concern at the fact that the ceasefires obviously are not holding everywhere. The President explained his views about this situation. We hope that the fighting will eventually subside and that peace will return to the affected areas.
We discussed, as I said, the deployment of the RPF. I expressed satisfaction that this deployment … yes, it has taken some time but finally we are seeing some units arrive in Juba. It is a teamwork; it is always a heavy undertaking to deploy that many units. There are responsibilities on the side of the UN and we are trying to do our best. There are responsibilities on the side of the Troop Contributing Countries and we encourage them to do their best as well. Of course, there are also responsibilities on the side of the host government and we are happy at the progress that has been made recently and we look forward to further cooperation in that regard.
USG Lacroix President Kiir meeting statement
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