The United States has proposed a 4,000 strong regional force to secure peace in South Sudan and impose an arms embargo if the government did not cooperate, Reuters reported on Sunday.
The agency reported that the regional protection force would be able “to use all necessary means, including undertaking robust and active steps and engaging in direct operations where necessary,” to secure Juba and protect the airport and other key facilities. It is in stark contrast to the conditions the government of South Sudan has set out, who has demanded that the peacekeeping force will only protect Riek Machar.
The vote at the United Nations is expected to occur on Friday.
The US has also written the draft resolution placing an arms embargo on South Sudan. Diplomats tell Radio Tamazuj that Russia and China are unlikely to veto the arms embargo resolution and there may be as many as nine votes in favor of the measure.
In the past, the United States has written proposals for an arms embargo on South Sudan to gain leverage in negotiations, like the August peace deal, and then has not submitted the resolution to the floor of the United Nations.
The US proposal comes two days after IGAD decided that a regional peacekeeping force should enter South Sudan, with the number of troops to be negotiated by the South Sudanese government. Key details of the peacekeeping force remain unknown.