New York, May 31, 2018 (SSNA) — The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Thursday approved a resolution, imposing an arms embargo on South Sudan and sanctions against six senior government and rebel officials.
The measure which was passed by 9-6 votes was a “milestone,” according to one African Union official who spoke exclusively to the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) hours after the vote was announced.
After the vote, UNSC then told the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to report to the world body by June 30 if “a viable political agreement” has not been reached by South Sudan’s warring factions. The SSNA was informed that if the parties to the conflict failed to reach a lasting political deal by the end of June, then the UNSC will immediately impose an arms embargo on the war-torn young nation and punitive measures against government and rebel figures.
The United States has increasingly become impatience after previous American administration failed to find a lasting solution to the raging civil war in the young nation. South Sudan gained her independence from Sudan in July 20111. The South Sudanese overwhelmingly credited the United States as “the mastermind” behind the secession.
The South Sudan News Agency has obtained a document which shows that South Sudan’s defense minister Kuol Manyang Juuk, Cabinet Affairs minister Elia Lomoro, Ex-SPLA Chief of Staff Paul Malong, Information minister Micheal Makuey Lueth, Deputy SPLA chief of defense for logistics Malek Reuben, and the SPLM/A-IO governor of Bieh State Koang Rambang are listed as the main target for the looming sanctions.