SOUTH Sudan’s incoming transitional government must make the protection of people a priority amid a humanitarian crisis and food insecurity across the country, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) said today.

Talks start tomorrow on the establishment of the new administration to repair the damage left by more than six years of war and power struggles.

Around 7.5 million of South Sudan’s 11.1 million population rely on humanitarian assistance, according to the United Nations.

Last month, some 5.5 million were suffering acute food insecurity, the world body said.

UN figures show that 1.67 million people are displaced in South Sudan, with armed clashes last month causing 19,000 people to flee their homes.

NRC South Sudan director Alexander Davey said: “The formation of the new government presents an opportunity to start working towards a path to peace and reconciliation that has until now remained elusive.

“The focus of attention will logically shift towards the central government in Juba, but government representatives must no longer neglect the serious protection and humanitarian needs of their people.

“The locust invasion is extremely worrying for South Sudan as the food security outlook is already bleak after floods last year, which affected nearly one million people.”