UK says no decision on troops’ deployment to South Sudan

September 18, 2015 (JUBA) – United Kingdom (UK) said the country has not yet decided to send troops to the war-ravaged South Sudan as part of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Media reports on Thursday speculated that British was planning to deploy troops to South Sudan and assist in implementation of the peace agreement signed in August by president Salva Kiir and opposition leader, Riek Machar.

However, British ambassador to Juba, Tim Morris, said decision has not yet been made by his country to deploy troops to the region.

UK, as a strong supporter of the United Nations, makes frequent contributions of personnel to peacekeeping missions, including to UNMISS in South Sudan. But the top diplomat said a possibility for further deployment in form of combat troops has not been decided.

“No decision on a further contribution has been made,” he said on Friday in a press release issued by its embassy in Juba.

United Nations and Troika countries, including the United States, UK and Norway have been pushing for full implementation of the peace deal and encouraging for mechanisms and roles that would ensure compliance of the parties to the deal.

(ST)