UNSC renews sanctions on South Sudan

NEW YORK, May 31 (KUNA) -- UN Security Council underscored its willingness to impose targeted sanctions in order to press for an inclusive and sustainable peace in South Sudan.
Unanimously, the Egyptian-led Council adopted resolution 2290 to renew until May 31, 2017, the travel and financial measures imposed against South Sudan, expressing its deep concern at the failure of South Sudan's leaders to end hostilities.
The resolution condemns the continued and flagrant violations of the ceasefire provisions of the Agreement, including violations as documented by the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Mechanism.
The 15-member body also extended until July 1, 2017 the mandate of the Panel of Experts overseeing the sanctions, asking it to report, within 120 days, on security threats and arms transfers into South Sudan since the Transitional Government of National Unity's formation on April 29.
Speaking on behalf of the US Ambassador David Pressman, the Alternate Representative to the UN for Special Political Affairs said that the members of the Council must renew their commitment to carefully monitor the situation in South Sudan.
"In light of the Panel of Experts reporting that the parties were continuing to acquire arms even after they signed the peace agreement, the Security Council today - significantly, in this resolution - has asked for a special report from the Panel of Experts on arms procurement since the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity," he added.
He called his fellow members to continue to watch this closely and to uphold their responsibility to use the full range of tools available to when such action is necessary for the maintenance of international peace and security. (end) mao.gb