South Sudan’s neighbours should urgently call for the United Nations Security Council to establish an arms embargo to stem gruesome violations in the country’s devastating conflict, more than 50 South Sudanese and international human rights and humanitarian organisations including PAX said in a petition to regional leaders. ‘The ongoing attacks on civilians are contributing to a humanitarian crisis.’
In the petition the non-governmental organisations call on members of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to immediately impose a comprehensive arms embargo on South Sudan. The organisations also call on IGAD to issue a communiqué requesting that the United Nations (UN) Security Council adopt a resolution imposing a comprehensive international arms embargo.
Regional leaders met on November 6 in Addis Ababa to discuss South Sudan at a IGAD summit meeting. Unfortunately they didn’t decide for an immediate arms embargo to South Sudan or a call to the UN Security Council for the same yet.
Ongoing war crimes
Since the conflict in South Sudan broke out in December 2013, tens of thousands of people, many of them civilians, have been killed and 1.8 million forced to flee their homes. Parties to the conflict have used small arms and light weapons, and a range of other conventional arms and military equipment, to facilitate and commit war crimes and crimes against humanity. So far, also agreements to cease hostilities and protect civilians have failed.
James Ninrew, executive director at Assistance Mission for Africa: “The dry season is upon us and across the conflict area communities are afraid that yet again they will be attacked.”
Read the petition for an immediate embargo on arms supplies to South Sudan.