The UN Security Council approved a resolution Thursday extending an arms embargo and other sanctions against South Sudan, until May 31, 2020.
Last year, the Security Council imposed sanctions, including an arms embargo, against South Sudan, where political crisis has caused deaths and massive displacement.
The US-sponsored resolution won 10 votes in favour, one more than the minimum required for adoption — and five abstentions from Ivory Coast, South Africa, Equatorial Guinea, Russia and China.
The measure means sanctions against South Sudan will be extended until next year, including an arms embargo an assets freeze and global travel ban against eight individuals over their role in the country’s civil war.
South Sudan’s rival leaders signed a peace deal in September 2018 which was meant to culminate in a unity government on 12 May.
However critical steps such as the creation of a unified army are yet to be implemented with the formation of the transitional government has been delayed another six months.
Acting US Ambassador Jonathan Cohen expressed disappointment at the lack of African support for renewing the sanctions, stressing that “if there is to be any chance for lasting peace in South Sudan we must stop the flow of weapons used to fuel conflict and terrorize civilians.”
Ahead of the vote, South Sudan government urged the world body to drop sanctions against it, saying the September peace deal officially ended the devastating civil war.
“We are trying to bring peace, so there are no reasons to renew the sanctions,” the Spokesperson for South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mawien Makol, told Radio Tamazuj.