The United Kingdom is calling for the immediate imposition of an arms embargo on South Sudan by the UN Security Council. Such a measure would make it illegal for nations around the world to sell weapons to the South Sudanese government and opposition.

The United Kingdom is one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council, which received a briefing on Thursday on the humanitarian situation in South Sudan.

Ambassador Matthew Rycroft of the UK Mission to the UN said Friday that continuing fighting in South Sudan demonstrates the need for an arms embargo.

“In South Sudan, half the population is in need of humanitarian assistance. It is clear that despite the Peace Agreement, the continued fighting is further entrenching the humanitarian crisis. That is why the UK is calling for an arms embargo now,” Rycroft said.

Reuters reports that the proposal also has the backing of Angolo, an elected member of the Security Council, which reportedly introduced the proposal to the Security Council.

Angola's UN Ambassador Ismael Abraao Gaspar Martins was quoted as saying, "The situation evolves and you have to evolve with the situation. Now what is necessary to do is an arms embargo."

"We have proposed, I hope everybody goes with it."

Veto-power Russia said last month it was opposed to an arms embargo on South Sudan, but the nation previously declined to use its veto power in 2014 when a number of South Sudanese generals came up for sanctions. It is not yet clear how Russia would vote if the arms embargo actually comes to a vote at the Security Council.