Fourteen senior military officers from three IGAD member countries have arrived in the South Sudan capital Juba to plan for the entry of the 4,000-strong regional force into the restive nation.
The South Sudan Minister for Cabinet Affairs, Martin Elia Lomuro announced the latest development on Tuesday.
“The government of the Republic of South Sudan accepted the deployment of regional force to achieve peace in our country and commanders from the troop contributing nations are already with us here,” Mr. Lomuru said in Juba.
The regional force deployment the young nation was agreed upon during an IGAD Summit in the Rwandan capital Kigali last year.
According to the Cabinet Affairs Minister, the force is expected to be provided by the administration of Jubek State along Juba-Yei road.
The United Nations Security Council approved the mandate of the regional force which includes the protection of key installations like embassies, Juba international Airport, facilitate the delivery of human assistance and protect civilians under attack from armed groups.
The regional force is also to act as a deterrent force in the event of exchange of fire between government and rebel fighters.
The contributing nations are Rwanda, Kenya and Ethiopia. Uganda and Sudan excused themselves from the deployment.