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Six members of the United Nations Security Council abstained from voting on a resolution renewing sanctions and the arms embargo on South Sudan, arguing that the measures have failed to deliver lasting peace and may now be hindering the country’s political transition and security reforms.

The six countries were Russia, China, Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia and Somalia.

Russia said the sanctions are hampering the implementation of South Sudan’s revitalized peace agreement and undermining preparations for elections expected later this year.

Moscow argued that the restrictions have weakened economic development and limited Juba’s ability to acquire basic military supplies needed to maintain security.

China also questioned the effectiveness of the sanctions regime, describing the resolution as unbalanced and overly focused on pressure. Beijing noted that the arms embargo has been in place for nearly eight years and has constrained the Government’s capacity to protect civilians and preserve domestic stability.

Pakistan maintained its long-standing position that sanctions should be applied cautiously, periodically reviewed and should not become punitive or indefinite. Islamabad said the deteriorating political and security situation in South Sudan raises legitimate questions about the effectiveness of the current sanctions framework.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo, speaking on behalf of Liberia and Somalia, said the three African members abstained because of persistent concerns about whether the sanctions can contribute to sustainable peace and stronger national institutions.

They also called for a re-examination of the arms embargo, arguing that it complicates the implementation of transitional security arrangements and the unification of forces under the peace agreement.

Following the vote, South Sudan expressed disappointment with the Council’s decision and renewed its call for the lifting of what it described as an outdated arms embargo.

South Sudan’s representative said the continued maintenance of the embargo is increasingly inconsistent with the realities facing the country and regretted the adoption of the resolution. He argued that the restrictions limit the Government’s legitimate ability to protect civilians, secure national borders and respond effectively to threats posed by armed groups and other non-state actors.

As an example, he pointed to the recent killing of five civil engineers who were working on a road construction project in Central Equatoria State, saying the incident underscored the country’s continuing security challenges.

“Sustainable peace is best advanced through strong national institutions, effective security arrangements and genuine national ownership of the peace process,” the representative told the Council.

The resolutions Resolution 2821 (2026) (to be issued as document S/RES/2821(2026)) was adopted by a recorded vote of nine votes in favour (Bahrain, Colombia, Denmark, France, Greece, Latvia, Panama, United Kingdom, United States).

Juba also urged the Security Council to take into account the positions of the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and other regional stakeholders, which have repeatedly called for the lifting of sanctions and the arms embargo on South Sudan.

The abstentions is a replica of growing divisions within the Security Council over the future of sanctions on South Sudan, with several members arguing that the time has come to reassess whether the measures remain fit for purpose as the country navigates its fragile transition toward peace and elections.