Juba-U.N. Security Council called on Thursday The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to quickly send more troops and equipment to volatile areas like the eastern state of Jonglei to protect civilians.
The United States issued a rare criticism of South Sudan on Wednesday, saying it was "deeply disappointed" the army had failed to protect civilians in vulnerable areas in Jonglei. Washington is one of Juba's biggest allies.
South Sudan's U.N. ambassador, Francis Mading Deng, told the council his country was determined to work on its problems.
"We recognize that there is a gap between our aspirations for security and respect for human rights, which can be attributed to the negative legacy of a long and devastating conflict that has left the people traumatized, militarized and heavily armed," he said.