More sanctions are not the right way forward in South Sudan, the minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has said.

Two weeks ago, the Council of Ministers formed a committee to lobby against imposition of sanctions by the United Nations Security Council.

Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin announced in press conference in the U S that suggesting sanctions at a time when both parties are about to reach a peace agreement is not helpful.

“Peace process has moved forward; both sides have agreed on everything to bring peace to the country except on the issue of the structures of the transitional government,” Dr Marial stressed.

“Then why not give the chance? Why not help now since it is the last lap? It’s just like you’re running a marathon and you’re just left with 10 meters away from the finish line.”

Dr. Barnaba is heading a government group lobbying against UN sanctions.

Last week, the Charge de Affairs in the US embassy in Juba, Ambassador Charles Haile Twining, had said the United Nations Security Council may use sanction as the last solution to force the warring parties to sign peace.

“Our position is United Nations Security Council is getting very tired, I guess of the fact the peace process is not over and the Security Council [members] are trying to understand is there something more they can do to force everyone to make peace.”

Besides, in October, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power said the world body could join the United States and the European Union and impose sanctions on South Sudan leaders.

‘Human Rights’

The International Federation of Human Rights says the United Nations Security Council, African Union, IGAD and European Union should quickly impose sanctions on South Sudanese leaders.

The Human Right groups released a report this month aiming to prevent violence and impunity in the country.

According to the report, F-I-D-H says the international community had earlier on threatened to adopt sanctions on individuals in South Sudan but could not implement these threats fully.

The report also raised a concern aimed at reducing the circulation of arms in the country.

It says there could be a risk of civilians remaining unsafe and increasing hindrances to fundamental rights and freedoms if the conflict continues.

The Human Right group recommends that the international community must strengthen the mediation efforts and put emphasis on the root causes of the conflict to prevent the country from re-sinking into chaos.