8310th Security Council Meeting: Sudan and South Sudan

Adopting resolution 2428 (2018), the Security Council extends sanctions on South Sudan, at 8310th meeting.

• Categories: Meetings & Events / Security Council
• Video Length: 00:55:42
• Production Date: 13 July 2018
• Asset Language: Arabic; Chinese; English; French; Russian; Spanish
• Subject Topical: ARMS EMBARGO; SANCTIONS; TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
• Geographic Subject: SOUTH SUDAN
• MAMS Id: 2200276
• Parent Id: 2199641

Description

The Security Council today decided to extend its sanctions regime in South Sudan and impose a travel ban and assets freeze on two high-ranking individuals — an act South Sudan’s representative described as a “slap in the face” to those engaged in his country’s ongoing peace negotiation process.

By the terms of resolution 2428 (2018), adopted by a vote of 9 in favour (Côte d’Ivoire, France, Netherlands, Kuwait, Peru, Poland, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States) to none against with 6 abstentions (Bolivia, China, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Russian Federation), the Council expressed deep concern at the failure of South Sudan’s leaders to bring an end to the country’s hostilities. It decides that, until 31 May 2019, all Member States will prevent the supply, sale or transfer to South Sudan — from or through their territories — of arms and related material, and withhold training, technical and financial assistance related to military activities or materials. In addition, it lays out several exemptions to the country’s arms embargo — including for material and activities related to humanitarian activities — and lists details related to the inspection of shipments and cargo bound for South Sudan.

Condemning the continued and flagrant violations of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan and related ceasefires — and demanding that the country’s leaders fully and immediately adhere to them — the Council further decides to renew until 31 May 2019 a travel ban and assets freeze, as laid out in resolution 2206 (2015). It reaffirmed that those measures would apply to individuals or entities designated by the Committee established pursuant to that resolution, deemed to be responsible for or complicit in actions or policies that threaten the peace, security or stability of South Sudan — such as extending or expanding the conflict, targeting civilians or obstructing peacekeeping activities — with two such persons listed in the resolution’s Annex.

Also by the terms of today’s resolution, the Council decides to extend until 1 July 2019 the mandate of the Panel of Experts on South Sudan, as set out in paragraph 18 of resolution 2206 (2015), and expresses its intention to review the mandate and act regarding its further extension no later than 31 May 2019. It decides that the Panel’s tasks will include providing relevant information to the sanctions committee; gathering, examining and analysing information regarding the supply, sale or transfer of arms and related materials or assistance to individuals or entities undermining the reconciliation agreement or violating international law; and providing the Council with an interim report by 1 December 2018, a final report by 1 May 2019 and monthly updates.

Delegates voting in favour of the text expressed their support for ongoing negotiations to bring an end to South Sudan’s conflict, led by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), African Union and other regional partners. However, they also emphasized that Council members must not “sit idly by” as barbaric acts are committed against civilians using weapons that continue to enter the country — and that will be stemmed by the measures imposed today.

The representative of the United States — the resolution’s main sponsor — said its goal was simple: The violence in South Sudan — and the flow of weapons that fed it — must stop. The arms embargo set out in the text should have been imposed when it was proposed in 2016, but was rejected at that time. “We have waited, and waited, for negotiations to make a difference,” but the violence has not stopped, she said. Armed groups are hanging people from trees and burning them alive — barbaric acts being committed even after numerous “permanent” ceasefires decrees.

Other members, who abstained in the vote, voiced deep concern that the sanctions imposed by the text risk derailing delicate peace negotiations on the ground. Ethiopia’s delegate, spotlighting the region’s request that the situation be handled with “prudence and patience”, warned that today’s adoption was not synchronized with the positions of IGAD or African Union negotiators. Turning a deaf ear to the organizations that have invested so much in the peace process — and who will be affected the most by such a decision — only underscores a lack of cooperation between the Council and regional actors, he said.

South Sudan’s representative agreed with the assessment the resolution — and the timing of its adoption — will undermine peace efforts on the ground. Indeed, the opposition “will think the Council is on their side”, and may turn away from the negotiation process as a result. Describing the resolution as a “slap in the face” of IGAD, the African Union and the continent itself, he nevertheless pledged to continue to support the peace process and work towards its successful conclusion.

Also speaking were representatives of Equatorial Guinea, France, Poland, Netherlands, China, Bolivia, Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, United Kingdom and Sweden.