The representative of South Sudan's government to the United Nations says that the recent five-day spate of violence in the capital Juba is part of a learning process for the new power-sharing government.

Ambassador Akuei Bona Malwal claims that the fighting in the city does not represent the end of the Transitional Government of National Unity, which was formed less than there months ago.

In a statement at a UN Security Council briefing in New York today, the diplomat expressed condolences to UN peacekeepers killed in the recent events in Juba and described the severe violence as 'setbacks'.

“It is unfortunate to note that the few achievements of the Transitional Government of National Unity have been severely impacted by the events of the last few days in South Sudan,” said Akuei.

“Nevertheless, the Transitional Government remains committed to the implementation of the Agreement and considers the setbacks as a learning curve,” he added.

Akuei went on to blame First Vice President Riek Machar's protection detail for the fighting that broke out outside the presidential palace on Friday. He also blamed SPLA-IO troops for fighting in the Jebel area of Juba, where attacking SPLA troops overran cantonment sites established for opposition forces under the terms of a security deal. 

Akuei called on the United Nations to work together with the South Sudanese government, saying it is the “only viable mechanism to implement the Agreement.”