The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the decision of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development or IGAD to extend the pre-transitional period for an additional 100 days.
He in a statement urged the parties to use this extension to make further progress on security arrangements and the number of states and boundaries for the formation of inclusive transitional government.
The Secretary-General also called on the government of South Sudan to support the process by releasing the pledged amount of 100 million US Dollars through a transparent and accountable mechanism.
Guterres reaffirmed the critical importance of the role of IGAD and the African Union in the political process.
The Secretary-General reiterated the continued readiness of the United Nations to support their efforts.
He said as IGAD has underscored, face-to-face meetings of the leadership of the parties will continue to be crucial in maintaining momentum.