The Unity government calls on the United States of America to revise individual sanctions and arms embargo the U.N. imposed on South Sudan.
Dr. Martin Elia Lumoro, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, says the peace implementation is facing numerous challenges due to some restrictions the international community imposed.
Dr. Elia called the U.S. government to revise its decision on the arms embargo imposed on South Sudan In July 2018.
He claimed that the arms embargo delayed the graduation of unified forces due to a lack of weapons for security organs to ensure they were able to disarm civilians.
“If the arms embargo is lifted, we will get the appropriate guns to be given to the national army, police, security, and we should then be able to disarm citizens. I believe once they are disarmed, we will be able to control security in the community.”
The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission has also urged the United States to reconsider its decision to support the peace monitors.
This came after the U.S. suspended funding for the peace mechanism this month, accusing the parties of not doing enough to implement peace.
Interim chairperson Charles Tai Gituai says U.S. financial support was vital, and the suspension will impact the operational capacity of the peace monitors.
“As you know, the U.S. government recently suspended its financial support to RJEMEC and CTSAMVM, which will impact our operational capacity. We thank the U.S. for its invaluable support to RJEMEC and CTSAMVM over the years. We will continue to engage with the U.S. government to reconsider its decision.” Gituai added.
Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission conducted its 23rd plenary session on Thursday. It recommended that the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity fast-track the process to consider and adopt the agreed roadmap.
R-JMEC called on the parties to urgently set a date for the graduation and redeployment of unified forces hoping to address the increasing indecencies of communal-based violence across the country.