New York, February 26, 2016 (SSNA) — Angola has proposed an arms embargo and asked the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to impose it on South Sudan, adding that the community of nations should support its proposal as the situation evolves.
The United Kingdom (UK) supports Angola, saying South Sudanese are suffering and need humanitarian aid.
The move comes as South Sudanese rebel leader indicates his willingness to return to Juba to take up his position as the first vice president of South Sudan.
Angolan Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Ismael Abraao Gaspar Martins asks the UN to do what he described as “necessary,” asserting that the UNSC should support his nation’s proposal.
“Now what is necessary to do is an arms embargo,” Angolan Ambassador to the United Nations Ismael Abraao Gaspar Martins declared.
“The situation evolves and you have to evolve with the situation,” Ismael says.
The United Kingdom (UK) has also indicated that it supports Angolan proposal, arguing that half of South Sudan’s population is in need of humanitarian assistance.
“In South Sudan, half the population is in need of humanitarian assistance. It is clear that despite the peace agreement, the continued fighting is further entrenching the humanitarian crisis. That is why the UK is calling for an arms embargo now,” UK’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Matthew Rycroft, said.
On February 19, the UN accused South Sudanese rival leaders of ‘talking peace while killing civilians’. It is not clear what path Russia will choose as it has in the past blocked punitive measures against the young nation, arguing that UN sanctions would simply complicate the ongoing armed conflict.