The UN Security Council has passed a resolution to renew sanctions against South Sudan including arms embargo until May 31, 2019.
In a statement, the Security Council says it has also designated Paul Malong Awan, former Chief of Staff and Malek Ruben Riak, former Deputy Chief of Staff.
According to investigative reports by The Sentry, both Malong and Riak have been accused of corruption linked to mass atrocities and violence in South Sudan.
John Prendergast, Director of the Enough Project and Co-Founder of the Sentry says “peace processes need influence to have any chance of success.
He warns that if the parties to the process can disobey any prior agreement without consequence, then no new agreement will be worth the paper it is printed on.
Prendergast adds that the Security Council delivered a small dose of accountability and influence in support of peace.
Brian Adeba, Deputy Director of Policy at the Enough Project says the arms embargo is a signal of hope that the world is now willing to make the hard choices to hold those fueling the violence in South Sudan accountable.
He says much more action remains to be done to ensure that those who benefit from the war are entirely put off from their actions through concrete financial pressures.
Director of Policy and Analysis at The Sentry, Joshua White, calls on the countries, particularly in the region to enforce the sanctions and arms embargo.
He stresses that the impact of the sanctions will be felt only if countries act quickly to freeze assets, prevent travel and stop weapons from flowing into the country.