UN Security Council fails to adopt resolution on South Sudan sanctions

The UN Security Council on Friday failed to adopt a draft resolution on imposing an arms embargo on South Sudan as the text did not garner enough votes in favor from the 15-nation council.

The document was drafted by the United States, calling for the arms embargo on South Sudan as well as targeted sanction measures against key government and opposition figures.

Seven council members voted in favor while eight abstained. The draft resolution failed to get a minimum support of nine council members to be adopted.

The UN has decried continued fighting in South Sudan which has left tens of thousands of people dead and three million displaced since late 2013.

After the vote, China's Deputy Ambassador to the UN Wu Haitao noted that South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has announced unconditional acceptance of the deployment of a regional protection force as part of UN mission in the country to provide a secure environment in capital Juba.

He said the transitional government of South Sudan has demonstrated political will to implement relevant Security Council resolutions and joint communique by Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD).

"The international community should seize this opportunity to push for various parties in South Sudan to continue with implementation of the peace agreement to return to the track of political solution," he said.

Wu said "there should be prudent action with respect to sanctions" to avoid further complicating the situation in South Sudan.

"The council actions should be conducive to the political solution of South Sudanese issue and should be helpful for the work of the mediation and good offices by IGAD and the African Union," he added.

"China consistently supports the peace process in South Sudan and provides support to nation-building and stability in South Sudan," said Wu.

"China is willing to work with the international community to continue with its constructive role in making further efforts to enduring peace and stability in South Sudan," he added.

source: China