UN Extends Arms Embargo on South Sudan Until 2026

By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu

The United Nations Security Council has renewed its arms embargo and sanctions on South Sudan for another year, extending the measures until May 31, 2026.

The decision was made on Friday with nine votes in favor—the minimum required for adoption. Six countries abstained from the vote. South Sudan had opposed the renewal of the embargo.

South Sudan, which became independent in 2011, went through a civil war from 2013 to 2018, resulting in approximately 400,000 deaths and the displacement of around four million people. A 2018 peace deal brought some stability, but recent fighting has again raised concerns about the risk of widespread conflict.

Clashes have recently escalated between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and supporters of Vice President Riek Machar, who has been under house arrest since March.

In the resolution, the Security Council expressed concern about ongoing violence and emphasized the importance of avoiding further conflict.

“The embargo is still necessary to limit the uncontrolled flow of weapons in a region already heavily armed,” said John Kelley, the U.S. deputy ambassador to the UN.

However, several African countries and Russia have pushed back against the embargo. Russia’s deputy envoy Anna Evstigneeva, who abstained, argued that the sanctions were hindering progress in South Sudan’s political process.

South Sudan’s UN ambassador, Cecilia Adeng, called for the embargo to be lifted, saying it affects not only the government but also ordinary citizens, and described the issue as one of national sovereignty and economic opportunity.