South Sudan government regrets Angola support for sanctions
March 4, 2016 (JUBA) – South Sudanese government on Friday expressed surprise at the decision taken by Angolan government to support imposition of arms embargo and sanctions against individuals perceived to be blocking the peace process in South Sudan.
The sanctions are being floated in response to the stalemate in the implementation of the August 2015 peace agreement between President Salva Kiir’s government and the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) led by the first vice president designate, Riek Machar.
South Sudanese foreign affairs and international cooperation, minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin, in reaction described as a “surprise and regrettable” the decision of the Angolan government to support the draft proposal.
“Our relations with the Angolan government, especially between our president, General Salva Kiir Mayardit, and Angolan president, José Eduardo dos Santos, have been excellent. There have also been a very close relationships and contacts between me and my foreign affairs minister in the Angolan government,” Minister Benjamin told Sudan Tribune in an exclusive interview on Friday.
“You remember I was there late last year for a mission I was asked to go for it by our president and to deliver a special message to the Angolan president and his government. It was a successful mission. I met President Jose and he personally assured and asked me to convey to our president his support for peace and our commitment to resolving the conflict through peaceful dialogue within the framework of IGAD peace agreement and in support of African solution to an African problem,” he further narrated.
He further recalled that the Angolan president assured them that his country would not support any form of sanction on South Sudan, whether individuals or arms embargo, adding sanctions would undermine peaceful efforts.
“This was what President Jose said himself and indeed the Angolan government with Egypt and other countries rejected imposition of sanctions when the proposal was made by the United States at the UN Security Council,” he continued.
The minister said his government would however continue to work with the government of Angola and to continue to cooperate on bilateral matters, including advocating for ways to enhance bilateral relations and to continue to show commitment to maintain a political dialogue and build meaningful relations.
The top South Sudanese diplomat added the government was actively advocating that issues which caused the conflict within the peace parties are resolved as soon as possible through implementation of the peace agreement.
He however stressed that the decision of “Angolan government will not affect our relations, though it is surprising regrettable decision.”
The South Sudanese government, he said, will continue to cooperate with Angolan government in various areas of mutual interest.
(ST)