Head of UN Security Council Sanctions Committee on South Sudan Michel Xavier Biang shakes hands with President Kiir/courtesy

Visiting members of the UN Security Council on Wednesday met with President Kiir and discussed the sanctions regimes imposed on South Sudan.

The presidential press unit cited the Head of the UN Security Council Sanctions Committee on South Sudan Michel Xavier Biang as saying, they had a constructive discussion with the President on a number of critical issues including the elections.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Cabinet Affairs Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro said President Kiir has comprehensively informed the UN delegation on the commitment of the government to peace and stability in the country.

The UN Security Council team is in Juba to assess the progress in the peace benchmarks crucial for creating a conducive environment for lasting peace.

On 21 September,  President Salva Kiir called on the United Nations to lift the arms embargo imposed on South Sudan to aid peace implementation and to secure the 2024 elections.

The Head of State had acknowledged the political, humanitarian, and security challenges the country has faced since 2013.

However, he said they [parties] turned the corner with the signing of a revitalized peace agreement in 2018

However, Kiir said, “What remained was to fast-track the implementation of the remaining provisions of the agreement in order to conclude the transitional period peacefully through fair, transparent, and credible elections in 2024.”

According to him, “the government has managed to engage in dialogue and consultations with the various stakeholders including the civil society, women youth traditional leaders, and opposition groups to ensure the peace process is owned and driven by our own people.”

Going forward, he said, “We call upon the United Nations to lift the arms embargo imposed on us to aid peace implementation and to secure the elections.”