The Government has condemned and objected to the extension of the arms embargo and ssanctions the United Nations Security Council imposed on South Sudan.
On Tuesday, the 15-member security council extended the arms embargo and sanctions including asset freezes and travel bans for an additional year until 31st May 2024.
It condemned the past and, allegedly, ongoing violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by all parties, including armed groups and national security forces.
It said that civil society, journalists, human rights defenders, and humanitarian personnel continued to be targeted.
The council emphasized that the unity government bears the primary responsibility to protect its population from genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
The Council decided to renew the arms imposed in 2018 and directed all Member States to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale, or transfer of arms to the territory of South Sudan.
In a statement on its official Facebook page on Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the renewal of the arms embargo on the country as deplorable.
The statement said the decision ” has not taken into account the significant strides that the Government has made in implementing the Revitalized Agreement for the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan as well as developmental progress in the country.”
The government said the sanctions affect not only target segments, but the country’s economy as well as the peace and security council was trying to maintain.
However, praised China, Russia and the three African countries of Ghana, Gabon and Mozambique for abstaining from what it described as unfair vote.
Juba remains committed to implementing the peace agreement and ensure a democratic, free and fair elections by end of 2024.
” The Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity will continue to redouble efforts to implement R-ARCSS and thereby create a conducive atmosphere for democratic, free and fair elections by December 2024.