“We are totally united in support of the revitalized peace agreement and in support of South Sudan and its people.”

That was the message from a high-powered delegation from the United Nations, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development which is making a special journey to the war-ravaged country to promote peace and end the immense human suffering caused by years of conflict.

The delegation, which met with South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and other ministers shortly after touching down in Juba, said it was encouraged by the significant improvement in the security situation since the peace deal was signed last September.

“We say let’s build on this improvement,” said the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix. “We are ready to support you. We want to continue to support what has already been achieved. We believe that every step taken towards full implementation of the peace agreement is beneficial to the people of South Sudan.”

The delegations’ visit follows the endorsement by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Council of Ministers of the unanimous decision by parties to the peace agreement to extend the pre-transitional period for a further six months before forming a Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity.

Jean-Pierre Lacroix noted that there were a number of outstanding matters, including the formation of a unified security force and the issue of boundaries and states. However, he was confident that further efforts would be made in the next six months to resolve these issues.