South Sudan: UN Security Council Should Renew South Sudan Arms Embargo

Amid Renewed Fighting, Enforcement Needs to be Bolstered

Fighting is escalating in South Sudan. The United Nations Security Council should renew its arms embargo on the country. It must also prevent more weapons from reaching the warring parties. Foreign forces should not add to the violations.

Government forces have attacked populated areas recently. They often use helicopter gunfire and air-dropped munitions. This puts civilians at great risk. In March, Human Rights Watch reported that the government used incendiary bombs. These bombs burned and killed dozens, including children, in Upper Nile state.

The situation is already catastrophic for humanitarian aid. Tens of thousands have fled to neighboring countries due to hostilities. Aid organizations face bureaucratic restrictions and attacks. A recent bombing targeted a Médecins Sans Frontières hospital.

South Sudan has been under a UN arms embargo since 2018. This embargo prohibits weapons transfers and military support to warring parties. However, armed Ugandan soldiers and military equipment were recently deployed in South Sudan. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International reported this violation.

The South Sudan government has placed opposition leader Riek Machar under house arrest without due process. This risks returning the country to prolonged conflict. The Security Council should address Uganda's violation of the embargo immediately.

It should also extend the embargo for another year to protect civilians from abusive forces. Additionally, it must ensure that UN peacekeeping mission (UNMISS) can operate freely in South Sudan.

President Salva Kiir has long called for lifting the arms embargo. This has eroded support among some states for UN sanctions. Last year, the council narrowly approved a resolution renewing the embargo until May 31, 2025.

Lifting the arms embargo could encourage further atrocities by warring parties. Instead, the Security Council should maintain it and hold violators accountable.

Louis Charbonneau, United Nations Director