The European Union has imposed an arms embargo on South Sudan. It has invited all key international partners to consider the embargo.

EU foreign affairs ministers want government to use resources to benefit people instead of stockpiling weapons.

“EU foreign affairs ministers met today to demonstrate their unwavering resolve and commitment to South Sudan and its people and to call for tougher action by the international community as a whole to press all sides in the conflict to pursue the path of peaceful negotiation in the primary interest of the South Sudanese population,” Stefano De Leo, head of the EU Delegation to South Sudan told reporters in Juba.

However, spokesman of South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mawien Makol says sanctions is not a solution.

Mr. Makol says South Sudan has the right to purchase arms.

“The arms embargo on the country….means nothings to us because we are a separate country; we have right of buying arms for defense of the nation,” Amb Makol told Eye Radio.

“The arms we have cannot be use against the citizens of this country.”

EU is considering further targeted restrictive measures against those individuals obstructing peace in South Sudan.