UN Security Council wants peacekeeping drones in South Sudan, which rejects them

UNITED NATIONS – The U.N. Security Council is urging the use of unarmed drones in the peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, but the government there says that could cause "disagreement and hostility" as a peace deal tries to take hold.

The council on Friday adopted a U.S.-drafted resolution requesting the U.N. secretary-general to "prioritize" the deployment of remaining troops, plus helicopters and drones.

But deploying the drones — even getting them into South Sudan — needs government consent.

Ambassador Francis Deng told the council that requesting drones without consulting his government is "to invite controversy."

South Sudan's rival sides signed a peace deal in August, but numerous cease-fire violations have been reported. Each side blames the other for the violations.

The council resolution also extends the peacekeeping mission's mandate until Dec. 15.