The United Nations Mission in South Sudan has commended the parties’ progress toward a unified command.
The UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General special, Nicholas Haysom, also head of UNMISS, briefed the media on Thursday.
He says forming a unified army structure of command will help address the political and localized conflict that destabilized security.
President Salva Kiir Mayardit unified the command structure for the Army forces, National Police Service, Internal and External Security Bureau, Wildlife, and Civil Defense Services this week.
The senior officers from Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLA-IO) and the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) will now be part of the unified army in the country.
The UN reported that two-thirds of the population would need humanitarian assistance, with almost half of the most affected being children.
“With the formation of the single unified command, we expect to see remarkable coherence in the government response to local conflicts across the country against that sub-national violence. We are cautious that the country faces a humanitarian crisis,” Haysom said.
The head of the United mission in South Sudan has also strongly condemned the ongoing subnational conflicts in Leer of Unity states.
He said the renewed conflicts have forced thousands of civilians to flee their homes searching for safety and shelter.
According to the UN, at least six humanitarian workers have also lost lives because of sub-national conflicts across the country and food aid being looted.
“I strongly condemn this violence takes on civilians and in particular attack on humanitarians and the lootings of lifesaving supplies and assets, all of this is unacceptable,” he said.
Mr. Haysom reiterated that UNMISS would continue to advocate for peace and push the government to step up its primary responsibility to protect civilians, including humanitarian workers.