Activist says persistent violence justifying existing arms embargo
The Executive Director for Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) has revealed that recurring violence across parts of the country does not justify lifting of existing arms embargo imposed on South Sudan.
“The increase in the growth of the gun class and increase in the clashes among informal armed groups across the country, are actually justifying the importance of having arms embargo,” Edmund Yakani said in a statement issued in Juba on Thursday.
His remarks came in the aftermath of opposition groups who are not signatories to the revitalized peace agreement forming a new alliance in Khartoum, dubbed the South Sudan Federal Democratic Alliance (SSFDA).
Another group calling itself Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in opposition (SPLA-IO) reformist commanded by Lt. Gen Duer Tut Duer recently issued statement after clashes erupted at the remote fishing camp of Khor Adar area, in Upper Nile State.
Yakani urged discontented elites to pursue non-violent approaches to solving political grievances.
The United Nations Security Council in July 2018, imposed arms embargo on South Sudan, as well as targeted sanctions such as a travel ban and asset freeze against individuals and entities following outbreak of conflict in December 2013.
The arms embargo renewed annually is set to expire on May 31, 2023.
