South Sudan’s government has lauded the position of all countries which rejected a US-drafted resolution on imposing an arms embargo and more sanctions on South Sudan.

The measure garnered only seven votes in favour in the UN Security Council on Friday, while eight countries including Russia, China and Japan abstained. Nine votes and no veto are required for resolutions to be adopted by the council.

Ateny Wek Ateny, South Sudan’s presidential spokesman has described the proposed resolution to impose an arms embargo on South Sudan as “double standards”, while denying reports on atrocities being committed in South Sudan.

The government official pointed out that the arms embargo will weaken the country’s defense abilities.

For its part, the SPLM-IO faction allied to former vice president Riek Machar has criticized the UN Security Council for failing to impose an arm embargo on South Sudan, noting that the countries which voted against the American proposal are ignoring the ongoing suffering in South Sudan.