The United Nations sanctions regime on South Sudan was established by Security Council Resolution 2206 (2015), adopted on 3 March 2015 in response to the civil war that erupted in December 2013 between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and former Vice President Riek Machar. The resolution created a framework for targeted measures — asset freezes and travel bans — against individuals and entities determined to be responsible for actions that threaten the peace, security, or stability of South Sudan, including violations of international humanitarian law, attacks on civilians, recruitment of child soldiers, and obstruction of humanitarian assistance.
Resolution 2206 also established a Sanctions Committee (the 2206 Committee) and a Panel of Experts to monitor implementation and report on violations. Initial designations were made by the Committee in July 2015, listing senior military commanders from both the government (SPLA) and opposition (SPLA-IO) sides.
In Resolution 2428 (2018), adopted on 13 July 2018, the Council went further and imposed an arms embargo on South Sudan, prohibiting the supply, sale, or transfer of arms and related materiel to the country. The embargo also added further individuals to the sanctions list. The arms embargo and targeted measures have been renewed annually, most recently extended by subsequent resolutions, with renewal votes often divided — Russia, China, and several African members have at times abstained, arguing sanctions impede the peace process under the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) signed in September 2018.
Key elements of the regime include:
- Arms embargo on the entire territory, with limited exemptions (e.g., for protective equipment for UN personnel, non-lethal assistance approved by the Committee)
- Targeted asset freezes on listed individuals
- Travel bans on listed individuals
- Inspection requirements for cargo suspected of carrying prohibited items
The Panel of Experts publishes periodic reports documenting embargo violations, illicit arms flows, and the political economy of the conflict.
Example
In July 2018, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2428, imposing an arms embargo on South Sudan and adding two senior commanders to the sanctions list.
Frequently asked questions
It was established by UN Security Council Resolution 2206, adopted on 3 March 2015, which created targeted asset freezes and travel bans.
Keep learning