UNSC Imposes Arms Embargo on South Sudan

The UN Security Council on Friday imposed an arms embargo on South Sudan and sanctions on two military officials, ratcheting up pressure after the latest diplomatic efforts failed to end nearly five years of war. The council narrowly adopted a US-drafted resolution with the backing of nine countries. Russia, China and four other countries abstained, AFP reported. The United States had lobbied hard to win votes for the arms embargo after it failed in 2016 to persuade the council to back the measure and cut off the arms flow to South Sudan. A draft resolution requires nine votes and no veto to be adopted in the 15-member council. South Sudan won independence from Sudan in 2011, with critical backing from the United States. Countless efforts have failed to bring peace to the country now in its fifth year of a war that has seen ethnic killings, gang rapes and other atrocities documented by UN rights officials.