UN Security Council Renews Sanctions Against South Sudan Despite Disagreements

The United Nations Security Council renewed sanctions against South Sudan for one year, the U.N. said in a May 30 press release. The sanctions keep an arms embargo on South Sudan, restricting member states from selling any arms-related materials to the country and withholding “training, technical and financial assistance related to military activities or materials.”

The vote to renew sanctions passed with 10 in favor, none against and five abstentions -- China, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Russian Federation and South Africa. The U.S. was the main sponsor of the resolution and “expressed disappointment” it was not supported by African members, the press release said. A South African delegate said that “given the ongoing political process in South Sudan, sanctions are not helpful at this time,” the press release said, and warned “against external pressures that can aggravate volatile political processes.” Côte d’Ivoire’s delegate agreed, saying the Council cannot “simply continue imposing sanctions; it must also appreciate the progress being made and proceed from that dynamic.” Equatorial Guinea’s delegate said arms embargoes work “to the detriment” of governments, according to the press release, “eventually creating situations where armed groups become better equipped.”

Other countries’ delegates, induing Germany and France, stressed the importance of increased sanctions. The French delegate said France is “extremely concerned” by human rights violations in South Sudan, according to the press release, urging the Council to “systematically apply the sanctions to bring the perpetrators to justice.”