The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) welcomes the ceasefire agreement announced by President Kiir and endorsed by First Vice President Riek Machar on 11 July and strongly urges  all parties to adhere to it.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General continues to call for President Kiir and First Vice-President Riek Machar to ensure that this order is conveyed through all security force chains of command in their respective forces so that soldiers return to their barracks, the cessation of hostilities is achieved and order established. 

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General urges security forces in Juba to allow unhindered access to UNMISS patrols to reassure and protect the civilian population and calls on the parties to allow civilians to move freely to places of refuge and to lift movement restrictions. The Government must uphold it responsibility and open up corridors to allow UN and humanitarian actors to provide vital supplies and other assistance to the affected civilians, as well as access for medical evacuations. This includes undertaking urgent measures to secure and reopen Juba International Airport as a matter of priority.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General remains gravely concerned about reports of violence spreading to other parts of South Sudan and urges all leaders and military commanders to deescalate tensions.

UNMISS continues to provide protection to thousands of displaced civilians in its protection of civilians sites in Juba, and is working to mobilize regional and international partners to support a resolution to this conflict and for the parties to recommit themselves to the full implementation of the peace agreement.