UNITED NATIONS: A push at the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on South Sudan’s warring parties has reached an impasse due to a dispute over whether to include an arms embargo.
Washington informed fellow council members last month that it would circulate a draft resolution establishing an UN sanctions regime for conflict-torn South Sudan. So far no draft has reached the 15-nation council.
“European council members, Australia and others want an arms embargo and the United States doesn’t,” a Western diplomat said on condition of anonymity. “We’re stuck at the moment.”
There is broad support for targeting individuals on both sides with travel bans and asset freezes, diplomats said. The reason for the US reluctance is fear that a weapons ban would disproportionately hurt the government.
Supporters of the arms embargo acknowledge the American point is a valid concern.
“We recognise that risk but believe that the amount of killing that’s going on, the fact it’s been going on for a year now, there’s too many weapons there,” a senior diplomat said. REUTERS
