Security Council of the United Nations prolongs restrictions on South Sudan
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has extended the sanctions regime and arms embargo on South Sudan until May 31, 2026, as stipulated by resolution 2781 adopted on May 30, 2025. This decision comes amidst an ongoing political crisis in the country, with over four million people displaced and an estimated 400,000 lives lost due to the conflict that began in 2013.
The sanctions include targeted measures against senior government and military officials and aim to mitigate the risk of renewed widespread conflict and support the implementation of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement (R-ARCSS). The UN Sanctions Committee, overseeing the sanctions regime, has reiterated calls for all parties in South Sudan to uphold the ceasefire, accelerate peace agreement implementation, and condemn attacks on UN and humanitarian personnel. The Committee also urged all UN member states to enforce the arms embargo strictly and exercise caution regarding exports of timber and charcoal from South Sudan and neighboring countries due to concerns over fraudulent documentation.
South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has publicly called for the lifting of sanctions and the arms embargo, asserting that they now hinder progress and security reform in the country. Kiir noted that South Sudan remains committed to peace and regional cooperation but views the sanctions as an impediment. However, the peace process has stalled, with ongoing localized violence and political mistrust threatening a return to full-scale civil war.
The resolution is an extension of the arms control restrictions put in place by Resolution 2428 (2018). It commands all members to stop supplying, selling, or transferring weapons to South Sudan directly or indirectly. The Chinese delegate suggested that the Council should assist the government instead of imposing more sanctions, stating that the arms embargo makes it difficult for the government to safeguard its citizens, bolster border security, and uphold social stability.
The UNSC Panel of Experts supporting the sanctions regime continues monitoring developments, with a final report presented in July 2025 that informed the Security Council’s recent actions. The resolution was passed with nine votes in favor, zero against, and six abstentions from Sierra Leone, Algeria, China, Guyana, Mozambique, and the Russian Federation.
The political situation in South Sudan remains fragile, with the peace process stalled and ongoing localized violence threatening a return to full-scale civil war. The UNSC's decision to extend the sanctions and arms embargo is a testament to its commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region.
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