Arms embargo not to blame for delays in security security reform — American diplomat

WASHINGTON — Claims by the government of South Sudan that the United Nations arms embargo imposed initially in 2018 is responsible for the delay in the implementation of chapter two of the revitalized peace agreement are not true, a top US diplomat said Wednesday.

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US Representative to the United Nations also said elections slated for the end of the transitional period requires a an inclusive and transparent permanent constitution-making process.

“We stress that elections need to be preceded by an inclusive, transparent constitution-drafting process,” Amb. Greenfield said Wednesday during a UN Security Council meeting.

“The result [of the elections] should be free and fair elections that reflect the will of all South Sudanese, including women, youth, people with disabilities, displaced persons and members of all political groups,” she added.

The top US diplomat further said the arms embargo is not to blame for the delays in the implementation of chapter two of the revitalized peace agreement as it provides for exemptions for arms imports.

“The arms embargo provisions are not responsible for delays in the training and graduation of the Necessary Unified Forces,” she said.

“Its purpose is to create space to advance the peace process and space for South Sudanese civil society to participate in its own democracy and governance. The arms embargo helps protect civilians by stemming the flow of weapons into the country,” she added.

She pointed out that “Should the South Sudanese government require any arms or materiel in order to implement the peace agreement, there is a clear exemption procedures in place.”

“The Committee only received one arms embargo exemption request this year, which you just heard, and that request was granted.”