The UN Security Council failed Friday to adopt a US-drafted resolution to impose an arms embargo and sanctions on South Sudan despite warnings that the world’s newest country is on the verge of possible genocide.
There were seven votes in favor and eight abstentions. A resolution needs nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the United States, France, Russia, Britain or China to be adopted. Japan, Russia, China, Angola, Malaysia, Venezuela, Egypt and Senegal all abstained.
“The council members who didn’t support this resolution are taking a big gamble that South Sudan’s leaders will not instigate a catastrophe,” said US Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power. “It is the people of South Sudan who will pay an unbearable price”.
Three key figures — opposition leader Riek Machar, Paul Malong, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army’s chief of staff, and Michael Makuei Lueth, South Sudan’s Information Minister — would have also been subject to asset freezes and travel bans.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon on Monday at a meeting to discuss the situation urged the council to take immediate action to “take steps to stem the flow of arms to South Sudan.”