S. Sudan vows to engage global community over looming sanctions

September 12, 2015 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese government said it will continue engaging the international community to ensure threats of sanctions against individuals allegedly obstructing the peace deal it signed with the armed opposition are dropped.

The country’s foreign affairs minister, Barnaba Marial Benjamin exclusively told Sudan Tribune Saturday that the world “deliberately” ignored what caused of the ongoing conflict, but were at the forefront of pushing for sanctions.

“We say the war was a result of the failed coup attempt but the world pays no attention to these important narratives and they decided to impose peace. They have been talking of sanctions which you know will not affect very much the ordinary people.” he said.

“We said no and because the government and particularly president Salva Kiir does not want people to continue to bear the brunt of a senseless war, he decided to sign the peace [accord]”, he added.

Marial thanked the Russian government for pledging to support South Sudan in the implementation of the recently signed peace agreement and the need to prioritise dialogue, instead of sanctions.

“Our friends have unfortunately turned their backs against us and are now the one spearheading negative campaigns for sanctions. We have pleaded with them to help us address these differences through peaceful dialogue but they seem to have made up their minds and determined to not listen to us anymore but we will not give up,” explained the South Sudanese foreign affairs minister.

He however stressed that the world’s youngest nation would continue to dialogue with other nations to enhance bilateral relations.

“Our relationships with countries such as the United States of America and its people are historical. We also long history of relationship with Russia. We are not just starting”, further said Marial.

The Sudanese and South Sudanese foreign affairs ministers have teamed up in calling on the Russian Federation to reject the looming sanctions likely to be imposed on South Sudan by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

The UN has drafted a US-led sanction to be imposed on any party that will be seen to be against implementation of the peace deal signed on 17 and 26 August by the two parties.

(ST)