The United States on Friday stopped the export of weapons and defense services to South Sudan, saying it is appalled by the continuing violence in the youngest nation that has created one of Africa’s worst humanitarian crises.
“The Department of State today announces that it is implementing restrictions on the export of defense articles and defense services into South Sudan,” US Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.
The Trump administration urged South Sudan’s neighbours to promote peace and save innocent lives by cutting off the flow of defense articles and defense services to South Sudan and to halt support to actors who are working to destabilize the country.
“We encourage IGAD and the African Union to consider sanctions measures against those who undermine the peace process,” Nauert said.
The State Department pointed out that it will amend the International Traffic in Arms Regulations to update the defense trade policy toward South Sudan by application of a policy of denial, with limited exceptions, on the export of defense articles and defense services to South Sudan, including all parties involved in the conflict.
The United States is seeking support for a UN Security Council embargo on all arms flows into South Sudan and we urge all UNSC members to join us in supporting this action,” according to the US administration.
As a result of the ongoing civil war, nearly 1.5 million people are now on the brink of famine and approximately 2.4 million South Sudanese have fled as refugees to neighbouring countries while 1.9 million South Sudanese are internally displaced.