South Sudan laments renewal of arms embargo says ‘untenable’ measures undermine sovereignty

JUBA – South Sudan government has this afternoon expressed “shock” and “dismay” over the decision by the United Nations Security Council to renew the arms embargo and sanctions imposed by the world body in 2018 saying the decision by the Council undermines South Sudan’s sovereignty.

The UNSC on Friday voted in favor of renewing the measures against South Sudan. All but Kenyan and India voted to support the resolution drafted by the United States. The world body also “expressed its readiness to review the embargo measures — including through their modification, suspension or progressive lifting — in light of progress achieved on five key benchmarks.”

In a statement this afternoon, South Sudan’s ministry of foreign affairs and international relations said it was shocked over the renewal of the sanctions and said the renewed measures undermines sovereignty of the world’s youngest country.

“The Government of South Sudan has learnt with shock, dismay and surprise that the United Nations Security Council in its Resolution No. 2577 adopted on Friday 28th May 2021, renewed the arms embargo and the targeted sanctions on the Republic of South Sudan for one year until 31st May 2022; this implies prohibition of the supply, sales, transfer of weapons as well as provision of technical assistance training and other military supports to South Sudan. The targeted sanctions entail travel bans and finance/assets freeze for individuals and entities,” the ministry said in the statement extended to Sudans Post.

“These punitive measures undermine the sovereignty of the Nation; jeopardize progress of the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on Resolution of the Conflicts in the Republic of South Sudan. By extending arms embargo, graduation of the National Unified Forces (NUF) will greatly be affected, and will eventually weaken South Sudan to ascertain herself socially, economically, politically and in any unprecedented aggression internally or externally. South Sudan aspires to work mutually, understandably with all actors across the globe to curb Human Rights, inter-communal violence and carryout comprehensive DDR,” it added.

The statement further said the government “was expecting the International Community to welcome the positive steps it has taken in implementation of the R-ARCSS by lifting the sanctions.”

“The government needs the encouragement of International Community so as to do more towards the implementation of the Agreement, instead of continuing renewing sanctions annually although they have proved unhelpful towards the stabilization of the situations in the Country.

“If the international Community really needs the improvement of the situation in South Sudan to the better as it alleges, then the Government thinks it is the right time for lifting the sanction.

“Lifting the sanctions would clear the image of the country and would accord it great opportunity to start acting once again with the partners for the wellbeing of South Sudanese people.

“Therefore, South Sudan appeals [whole] heartedly to the International Community to review this untenable resolution, as the Country advances towards trust building, reconciliation and healing and peaceful resolution to the conflicts.

“These would be complemented with the support from the Regional and International communities.”