South Sudan Condemns Renewal of UN Arms Embargo, Cites Negative Humanitarian Impact

South Sudan’s ambassador to the UN, Akuei Bona Malwal, expressed concern and condemned the UN Security Council’s decision to extend the arms embargo on South Sudan for another year. The embargo which was imposed in 2018, has restricted the transfer or sale of arms to the country and is set to remain in place through to 31 May, 2024.

The US-drafted resolution was adopted by ten members of the council who voted in favor, while Russia, China, Gabon, Mozambique, and Ghana abstained.

South Sudan has been facing civil war since 2013, but the embargo has been successful at reducing the supply of weapons to the country. Despite its apparent success in this regard, the South Sudanese diplomat described the embargo as “counterproductive”, pointing out that it had negative humanitarian effects.

Malwal also accused the Security Council of interfering in domestic affairs, claiming that South Sudan has made considerable progress since the embargo was imposed, including holding a final public consultation on building a sustainable model for transitional justice.