Warrap youth object to imposition of sanctions on S. Sudan
March 5, 2015 (JUBA) – The youth union in South Sudan’s Warrap state has strongly opposed United Nations call for sanctions on leaders and entities impeding peace.
The adoption of the sanctions framework came ahead of the 5 March deadline set by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) for the parties to reach peace deal.
Benjamin Bang Bang, the head of the youth union said they do not calls for sanctions.
“Warrap State Youth Union categorically rejects and condemns in the strongest terms possible the use of sanctions by the United Nations Security Council”, said Bang Bang.
The youth leader described as “extremely disappointing” calls for sanction that could undermine gains made in the ongoing peace talks mediated by regional leaders.
South Sudan’s foreign affairs minister, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, said the timing of the resolution was “inappropriate” since the peace process was at a “critical” stage.
“The resolution which was passed yesterday, regarding the peace process in South Sudan is unfortunate and I repeat: it is unfortunate and the timing is inappropriate, because the peace process is at critical stage,” Marial told the state-owned SSTV.
“While I am talking to you here now, President Salva Kiir Mayardit and Dr. Riek [Machar] are actually continuing to negotiate the last stages of the peace process in Addis Ababa to resolve the few outstanding issues in the process,” he stressed.
Marial could not hide his disappointment with the United States for playing a leading major role in pushing for a sanctions committee, which the UNSC adopted on Tuesday.
“It is extremely disappointing that the United States of America, which played leading role in ensuring the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which resulted in the independence of South Sudan, is the leading architect of this unfortunate and sad resolution today about talking on sanctions on this young country, the Republic of South Sudan,” stressed the South Sudanese foreign minister.
“Peace cannot be negotiated and reached under threats of sanctions,” he added.
The last round of talks between the two warring parties came to a standstill on Wednesday as president Kiir and Machar failed to agree on major outstanding issues.
(ST)