New York, March 3, 2015 (SSNA) — The United Nations Security Council has passed US-proposed sanctions against South Sudan on Tuesday, paving the way for the international body to impose punitive measures against the young nation if the ongoing peace talks in Ethiopia failed.
The UNSC’s action comes as the future of peace negotiations between South Sudan’s warring factions look uncertain.
US’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, hails the move and warns that anyone who aggravates or who stands in the way of peace process will pay a price.
"Those who frustrate peace must begin to pay the price,” Power said.
Meanwhile, South Sudan’s Ambassador to the UN, Francis Deng, cautions that sanctions will only cause more suffering, asserting that President Salva Kiir and the people of South Sudan only need encouragement and support.
“What the president and the government of South Sudan need is encouragement and support, not condemnation,” Deng warned.
Deng also said he hopes the Council will not implement the measures.
Last week, the United States circulated a draft resolution to the UN Security Council. The proposal which called for the establishment of a panel of experts and committee to oversee the sanctions was questioned by China.
The US also warned that the newly-passed resolution is a first step and that tougher sanctions will follow.