On Friday, the UN Security Council issued a resolution extending the arms embargo on South Sudan for another year, until May 31, 2022. Diplomats reported that the U.S.-drafted resolution was approved with 13 votes in favor, while India and Kenya abstained. This decision meets the request of Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, which have repeatedly called for the renewal of the embargo.
Human Rights Watch stated that maintaining the embargo "is still essential for civilians in South Sudan, given the widespread human rights violations and increasing violence on the ground." In its resolution, the Security Council expressed "deep concern over the ongoing fighting in South Sudan" and condemned the "repeated violations" of agreements that call for "ceasefire, protection of civilians, and humanitarian access."
The resolution also "strongly condemns past and present human rights violations and abuses, violations of international humanitarian law, and the harassment and targeting of civil society, humanitarian workers, and journalists." The Security Council indicated its "readiness to review the arms embargo measures," including the possibility of modifying, suspending, or gradually lifting them based on progress made.
The resolution requests the UN Secretary-General and the South Sudanese authorities to provide a report by mid-April 2022 on progress in the following areas: restructuring of defense and security forces, implementation of a disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration program, and reform of arms and ammunition stockpile management. It also calls on UN member states, particularly those in the region, to fully implement the arms embargo, including confiscation and destruction if illegal trade is proven.
South Sudan experienced six years of civil war that resulted in the deaths of approximately 380,000 people, formally ending with the formation of a unity government in February 2020.
