NDM faction says militarization of politics justifies arms embargo

JUBA – A faction of South Sudan’s National Democratic Movement (NDM) has backed the renewal of the United Nations arms embargo on the country, arguing that the continued militarization of politics and widespread insecurity justify maintaining the restrictions.

The statement came two days after the U.N. Security Council renewed sanctions on South Sudan for another year, including an arms embargo, travel bans and asset freezes. The sanctions regime was first imposed in 2015, while the Security Council adopted the arms embargo in 2018 amid escalating conflict and concerns over attacks on civilians during the country’s civil war.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the National Democratic Movement–Patriotic Front (NDM-PF) said the renewal of the measures reflected continued international concern over South Sudan’s political, security, humanitarian and economic situation, as well as slow progress in implementing reforms needed for sustainable peace.

“The continued proliferation of arms and the militarization of politics have significantly contributed to insecurity, displacement of civilians, intercommunal violence, human rights violations, and the shrinking of democratic and civic space across the country,” the group said.

The faction argued that the arms embargo remains “an important preventive mechanism aimed at reducing the risk of further escalation of conflict and encouraging peaceful political engagement among all stakeholders.”

NDM-PF is a breakaway faction of the National Democratic Movement, a political and armed group founded and led by opposition politician Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin.

The faction emerged in August 2018 after a split within the movement during negotiations in Khartoum that eventually led to the signing of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

The split occurred when a group led by Emmanuel Ajawin withdrew support for the Khartoum peace process, alleging that the government was manipulating the negotiations.

Lam Akol’s mainstream NDM remained part of the talks and later became a signatory to the revitalized peace agreement signed in September 2018.

In its latest statement, NDM-PF called on the Transitional Government of National Unity to engage constructively with regional and international partners, including the African Union (AU), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the United Nations to address the root causes of the conflict and create conditions for a democratic transition.

The group also urged the government to respond positively to the ongoing mediation efforts of former Tanzanian president Jakaya Kikwete, the African Union High Representative for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, who has been leading consultations aimed at advancing an inclusive political dialogue in South Sudan.

“Durable peace and national stability in South Sudan can only be achieved through inclusive political dialogue, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, adherence to the rule of law, security sector reforms, good governance, and the establishment of democratic institutions,” the statement said.

The U.N. Security Council renewed the sanctions on Friday with nine votes in favor and six abstentions.

Following the vote, the United States blamed South Sudan’s leaders for failing to advance the peace process and called for the release of political detainees, a national ceasefire and renewed political dialogue.

South Sudan has struggled to implement key provisions of the 2018 peace agreement, including security-sector reforms, constitution-making and preparations for elections.

Political tensions escalated earlier this year following the detention of several opposition figures, including First Vice President Riek Machar, raising concerns about the future of the fragile peace process.