18 March 2014 - The UN peacekeeping chief today called on South Sudan parties to respect the two-month old cessation of hostilities agreement, amid reports of fighting between government and opposition forces.

“The security and humanitarian situation in South Sudan will continue to deteriorate until the parties fully engage in the political talks, respect the cessation of hostilities and allow freedom of movement for the United Nations and its partners,” Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hervé Ladsous said as he briefed the Security Council.

“Both parties continue to prioritize the pursuit of military gains over talks towards a comprehensive political settlement,” he said. “The crisis has already affected the security of the region. The longer it goes on, the more chances for further regional intervention will grow.”

Mr. Ladsous’ comments came as fighting was reported between government and opposition forces in the Upper Nile capital Malakal. Two tank shells exploded about 200 metres from the mission’s compound last evening, wounding a displaced civilian sheltering there.

Sporadic arms fire and artillery shell explosions were also heard yesterday close to the compound.

The South Sudan crisis has uprooted over 700,000 people from their homes, including 77,000 seeking refuge at UNMISS bases.

Mr. Ladsous noted that UNMISS was deployed to help South Sudan transform into a democratic state and assist its leadership to deliver long-awaited peace and independence dividends to citizens.

“Today, the leadership stands divided, its security institutions are fragmented and the society is victimized by communal tensions,” he said. “Under these conditions, and as discussed with this Council, the initial raison d'être of UNMISS no longer applies.”

As stated in Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s latest report on South Sudan, UNMISS needs a “strategic shift” in its posture, he noted. The UN will temporarily put on hold activities to extend state authority and focus on five main priorities -- protection of civilians, humanitarian assistance, and human rights.

“This new posture of the mission will remain in place until the parties finalize a comprehensive political agreement,” stated Mr. Ladsous, adding that a more comprehensive review of UNMISS’ mandate, posture and capabilities would then occur.

As part of ongoing efforts by the UN and its partners to assist those in need, the World Food Programme (WFP) has started a series of food airdrops to remote areas of the country.

Two rounds of airdrops today delivered enough cereal for about 8,000 displaced people to last about 15 days in Ganyiel, Unity state, the agency said in a news release. Airdrops are planned for nine locations in Upper Nile, Jonglei and Unity states, and may be expanded to reach other areas.

“We are in a race against time to get assistance to people who are in critical need in places we simply haven’t been able to reach by road or river,” said WFP Country Director Chris Nikoi.

Insecurity, border restrictions and other barriers are seriously impeding WFP when the agency is urgently trying to deliver food to hundreds of thousands of people in need, as well as pre-position food before the rains makes more than half the country inaccessible by road.

WFP is concerned about reports of “alarmingly high” rates of malnutrition among children arriving at refugee camps in neighbouring countries, particularly Ethiopia, said Valerie Guarnieri, WFP Regional Director for East and Central Africa.

“While we are working with partners to provide specialized nutritious foods for refugee children, the high levels of malnutrition are a sign that the humanitarian situation in inaccessible regions of South Sudan may be rapidly deteriorating.”