UN Security Council members vote during a session. (File photo/Courtesy).

The UN Security Council has set five benchmarks to enable the review and potential modification of the arms embargo imposed on South Sudan, the U.S. envoy to the country disclosed.

The preconditions redeployment and resource allocation to the necessary unified forces, progress on disarmament, demobilization and reintegration that also requires allocation of resources.

Other benchmarks are management of the existing arms and ammunition stockpile, completion of the strategic defense and security review process, and establishment of a joint action plan against Sexual Gender-Based Violence (S-GBV).

“The Security Council has established five benchmarks for the review and potential modification of the arms embargo. These include formation, redeployment, and resource allocation to the necessary unified forces,” Adler said.

The diplomat was speaking during the 33^rd monthly meeting of the peace monitoring body, R-JMEC in Juba on Thursday.

Although South Sudan kickstarted the deployment of force in November 15, with a battalion posted to Upper Nile State, Ambassador Adler said phase two is also required by the UNSC.

“Benchmarks also include progress on DDR (Disarmament Demobilization and Reintegration).”

“It includes managing existing arms and ammunition stockpile, and we know there are a plenty of weapons in this country, it includes completion of the strategic defense and security review process, as well as the joint action plan of S-GBV.”

Ambassador Adler said the other requirement is civic and political space in the country.

“I could say affirmatively, political civic space exists when political parties, candidates and individuals can express views and if they are competing for office, campaign without fear, bullying or intimidation.”

Mr. Adler said failure of the unity government to have a single army, police force and chain of command, will be the failure of all the parties to the 2018 peace accord.

The UN Security Council first imposed the arms embargo on South Sudan in July 2018.

Since then, it has been renewed on annual basis.

In May 2023, the Council extended for another year the sanctions regime imposed on South Sudan, including assets freezes, travel bans and an arms embargo, a decision a government representative objected.

In its resolution number 2683, the Security Council strongly condemned past and, allegedly, ongoing violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by all parties, including by armed groups and national security forces.

It further condemned targeting of civil society, including journalists, human rights defenders and humanitarian personnel, and said the unity government is responsible for the protection of its population from all forms of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The estimated total number of guns (both licit and illicit) held by civilians in South Sudan is 1,255,000 in 2017 and 3,000,000 in 2013, according to a report published by Gunpolicy.org.