The government has welcomed the move to block UN sanctions against army chief Gen Paul Malong Awan and opposition forces leader Johnson Olony.

The US-drafted sanctions tabled before the Security Council on Tuesday urged to impose a global travel ban and assets freeze on the two senior rival military leaders in a series of other targeted sanctions expected to follow against individual political and military leaders in South Sudan.

The men have been accused of not respecting the ceasefire and continuing with the war. But Russia, Angola, and Venezuela requested that the proposal be put on hold.

“The sanctions are ‘nowhere’ because they are derailing the peace process,” Amb Mawien Makol, foreign affairs ministry spokesman, told Eye Radio.

He said the government is committed to implementing the August peace deal with the SPLM in Opposition.

In July, the UN Security Council blacklisted six military generals in South Sudan, subjecting them to a global asset freeze and travel ban.