Genuine peace implementation prerequisite for lifting arms embargo – activist

A civil society activist says the full implementation of the peace agreement is the only leeway for the United Nations Security Council to lift the arms embargo and targeted sanctions against South Sudan.

Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director for Community Empowerment for Progress Organization said the extension of arms embargo was a message to the government that the world was not convinced with the implementation of security mechanisms in the country.

“This arms embargo is a clear communication from the international community and UN security council that they are disappointed that the peace agreement is not running smoothly and for them to lift the arms embargo, is when the peace agreement is genuinely implemented,” Yakani said.

The UN security council imposed arms embargo on South Sudan in July 2018 after it had purchased four MI-24 attack helicopters from Ukraine in 2015.

According to reports by Amnesty International, the resolution by security council legally obliges all UN member states to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer of arms and related materials including ammunition, military vehicles and spare parts from entering South Sudan. This includes ships that sail under their flag or aircraft. The embargo also extends blockage of technical support, training, financial or other assistance related to military activities.

Mr. Yakani said the arms embargo on South Sudan was not the first of its kind but was rather a renewal of what was instituted three years ago.

Stagnating process

The civil society activist emphasised that the reason as to why the embargo continues is because the South Sudan government is failing to implement key provisions of peace stipulated in the R-ACRSS document.

“The central action that the parties to the agreement need to keep in line with the agreement, that can take South Sudan from violence to peace is a genuine implementation of chapter two. You can implement the rest of the agreement.

He further added the UN Security Council decision was also motivated by lack of commitment shown by parties to implement chapter two.

The chapter two of the Revitalised Agreement states that all parties to the agreement train and redeploy unified military, police, and other security forces that comprise of all opposition forces and government troops, which has not been achieved by the parties.

According to the press release issued on 30th of May 2021, the government of South Sudan reacted saying that the decision by UN security council renewing the arms embargo will definitely jeopardize the implementation of peace in the country.

“These punitive measures undermine the sovereignty of the nation; jeopardize the implementation of Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the conflicts in the Republic of South Sudan.”

It further adds that the extension of the arms embargo will affect the graduation of the Necessary Unified Forces arguing that the country will not ascertain herself socially, economically, politically and in any unprecedented aggression either internally or externally.

The government appealed to international community should re review its decision on the mandate saying that South Sudan was heading towards trust building, reconciliation, and healing as well as peaceful resolution to the conflict.