UN moves to slap sanctions on South Sudan

The UN Security Council on Tuesday unanimously adopted a resolution to slap sanctions on South Sudan's warring factions, ratcheting up pressure as a deadline loomed to reach a peace deal. Drafted by the United States, the resolution sets up a sanctions committee which would submit to the council the names of those responsible for blocking peace efforts, and who should be punished with a global travel ban and assets freeze.
Regional mediators have given South Sudan's President Salva Kiir and rebel chief Riek Machar until Thursday to reach a final deal to end 14 months of war that have killed tens of thousands of people. US Ambassador Samantha Power told the council that the resolution would give African mediators leverage in their push for agreement by making clear that "those who frustrate peace must begin to pay the price."
The resolution was approved by all 15 council members, including veto-wielding member China, which had criticised the move as unhelpful at a time when the warring factions were involved in complicated negotiations. Diplomats said the move toward sanctions won the backing of all council members after African governments, deeply frustrated with the lack of progress in peace talks, threw their support behind the measure.
Russian envoy Pyotr Ilyichev expressed skepticism, saying that the move could be "hasty" and that sanctions could backfire in the effort to bring peace. The resolution states that those who "threaten the peace, security and stability of South Sudan" could be targeted for UN sanctions. These include leaders of officials who obstruct peace talks, impede humanitarian aid deliveries, recruit child soldiers or attack UN peacekeepers. The resolution raises the possibility of imposing an arms embargo on South Sudan, a measure strongly backed by European countries despite concerns that the ban could penalise Kiir's forces more than the rebel fighters. Criticising the move, South Sudan's Ambassador Francis Deng urged the council to refrain from taking the next step and actually imposing sanctions, arguing that the punitive measures would not help bring about peace. "What the president and the government of South Sudan need is encouragement and support, not condemnation," said Deng.