Washington, DC/Juba, February 2, 2018 (SSNA) — The United States has imposed arms restrictions on South Sudan, saying it is appalled by the continuous violence in the war-torn young nation.
The move came after the US failed to mobilize members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to support its arms embargo proposal.
The sanctions, if implemented, will allow the US government to suspend or place restrictions on the export of defense articles and defense services into South Sudan, according a statement released by the State Department.
“The Department of State today announces that it is implementing restrictions on the export of defense articles and defense services into South Sudan,” the statement reads in part. Adding, “The United States is appalled by the continuing violence in South Sudan that has created one of Africa’s worst humanitarian crises.”
In the document, the United States government directed the Department of State to amend the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and update the defense trade policy toward South Sudan.
In response, the government of South Sudan said the imposition of arms embargo is bad, claiming it threatened the peace in South Sudan.