WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The UN Security Council passed a resolution to deploy a 4,000-troops protection force to South Sudan, the US Ambassador to the UN for Special Political Affairs David Pressman said at a Security Council meeting on Friday.
"South Sudan’s regional partners and the African Union have called on the [UN] Security Council to authorize urgently a regional protection force," Pressman stated. "This resolution does that."
UN Security Council Resolution 2304 authorizes the deployment of 4,000 UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) until December 16.
Pressman explained the UN force will safeguard the capital city of Juba, facilitate free movement in the city and protect key facilities.
If the South Sudanese government tries to obstruct the UNMISS troops, Pressman said the UN Security Council will vote to impose an arms embargo against the country.
An armed ethnic conflict erupted in South Sudan in December 2013, 18 months after the nation gained independence from Sudan. More than one million people have fled their homes during the conflict.