UN renews sanctions on rival S. Sudanese military generals
February 3, 2016 (JUBA) – The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday renewed until 15 April 2016 its sanctions, including a travel ban and asset freeze, to those blocking South Sudan’s peace process.
Speaking after adoption of the resolution, Petr Iliichev from the Russian Federation, said its technical character was a reflection of the lack of unity on the Council regarding the sanctions regime. At the same time, the text emphasized the importance of resolving the armed conflict in South Sudan.
“Responsibility for normalizing the situation in the country rested mainly with the South Sudanese. They needed time and support. Excessive sanctions ran the risk of complicating the situation and hardening the positions of the parties to the conflict,” he told the 15-member body.
The Security Council imposed sanctions on six generals, three from each side, on 1 July, 2015 for continuing the conflict which has killed thousands, created a humanitarian crisis and displaced more than two million civilians.
According to the UN, the military generals, three from each side of the country’s conflict, would face global travel bans and asset freezes.
Among those targeted by the sanctions is the commander of President Salva Kiir special guard, Maj-Gen Marial Chanuong Yol Mangok. The rebel side, has Maj-Gen Simon Gatwech Dual, chief of general staff for the opposition forces and a key ally of rebel leader Riek Machar, among others.
The Security Council said it will consider new proposals to stabilize the situation in South Sudan, stem flow of arms and encourage compromise.
“It was a delicate moment in the peace process, but also a critical moment,” the 15-member body said, urging parties to the South Sudanese conflict to show progress on implementing the country’s peace agreement.
South Sudan, the world’s newest state, has been hit by conflict since 2013. More than 10,000 people have reportedly been killed in the two year civil war, which was sparked by political disputes between the country’s leaders.
UN peacekeepers are sheltering nearly 200,000 people at six protection sites in South Sudan and more than 2.3 million people reportedly displaced.
Meanwhile, the Security Council also extended until 15 May 2016, the mandate of the Panel of Experts overseeing the sanctions, with the intention of reviewing the mandate and deciding, no later than 15 April, on its further renewal.
(ST)