United Nations - The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution Tuesday creating a system to impose sanctions on those blocking peace in South Sudan, hoping it will press rival leaders into ending a conflict that has killed tens of thousands.
The resolution drafted by the United States says an arms embargo is possible if the warring sides can't stick to a peace deal. Talks on a deal continue this week in Ethiopia, with a Thursday deadline to reach a decisive peace agreement.
“Those who frustrate peace must begin to pay the price,” US Ambassador Samantha Power said.
The resolution doesn't explicitly name South Sudan President Salva Kiir or rebel leader Riek Machar as possible targets for sanctions that would include an asset freeze and travel ban, but it says people affected could include “leaders of any entity.”
Multiple cease-fires in South Sudan have failed during more than a year of fighting that has had ethnic overtones. Two million people have been displaced.
South Sudan's rebels on Tuesday warned that the latest peace talks could fail if the government does not make concessions, especially on the issue of how to share power in a possible unity government.
South Sudan's UN ambassador, Francis Deng, quickly warned the council that sanctions would be counterproductive, saying, “What the president and the government of South Sudan need is encouragement and support, not condemnation.”
Deng said he hoped the council will not actually impose sanctions.
Russia's support was grudging at best. Deputy Permanent Representative Petr Iliichev said the decision to impose sanctions was hasty and that any negative effects of Tuesday's action should be blamed on those who pushed the resolution in spite of Russia's warnings.
“Pushing the protagonists into a corner will not change anything” and will further complicate the peace process, he said.
Sapa-AP