Implement peace deal for arms embargo to be lifted-U.S envoy

June 5, 2022 (JUBA) – The outgoing Chargé d’Affaires of the United States embassy in South Sudan, David Renz has urged the Juba government to implement all provisions of the peace deal for the arms embargo to be lifted.

He diplomat made the remarks during a press conference in Juba on Thursday.

“Juba must graduate the necessary unified forces, complete transitional period, hold elections that are free, fair, credible and democratic, and swear-in the president elect,” he told reporters at the press conference marking his farewell.

Renz said the U.S is committed to supporting South Sudan’s democratic process.

Last month, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted a resolution to renew for a year, till May 31, 2023, an arms embargo against South Sudan.

Council Resolution 2633 (2022) was adopted by a vote of 10 in favour (Albania, Brazil, France, Ghana, Ireland, Mexico, Norway, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States) to none against, with five abstentions (China, Gabon, India, Kenya and the Russian Federation).

South Sudan’s Information minister, Michael Makuei said last week that the Foreign Affairs ministry had written a letter to the UNSC protesting the decision.

“The government of South Sudan is dissatisfied and disappointed with the resolution of the Security Council because this resolution in the opinion of the government doesn’t actually serve the interest of the people of South Sudan and doesn’t in any way serve the proper implementation of the agreement,” he said.

On 28 May 2021, the UN Security Council renewed its arms embargo on the territory of South Sudan, which it first imposed in 2018, and identified the implementation of the 2021 action plan as one of five benchmarks against which renewal of the arms embargo would be reviewed in May 2022.

(ST)