JUBA, 12 February, 2021 (TON):  South Sudan said on Wednesday, that it has sought support from the European Union (EU) to help lift the arms embargo and sanctions imposed by the US following the outbreak of a conflict in December 2013.

Addressing reporters, Deng Dau Deng, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said the government has urged the EU to support their effort in lifting the existing arms embargo and individual sanctions imposed by the UN and US, media reported.

“This is why we have to talk to them (EU) to know that the reasons why sanctions were imposed was because of war and now the war has come to an end, we are implementing the peace agreement, those sanctions on individuals have no reason to remain,” he added.

For obstructing the peace process, in 2017, the U.S. imposed sanctions on senior South Sudanese officials including military officers from both the government and opposition.

And due to renewed violence in July 2016 that violated the 2015 peace deal signed to end years of conflict, the UN Security Council in July 2018 imposed an arms embargo on South Sudan.

The unilateral sanctions imposed by the US were endorsed by the EU and for this reason that they are urging the latter’s support to help lift them, revealed Deng.

“We are very concerned about our government officials who have been sanctioned by the UN and US We have to speak to the international community for them to be able to review and support the call for lifting the arms embargo and sanctions on individuals in South Sudan,” he said.

The sanctions and existing arms embargo are the frustrating implementations of the 2018 revitalized peace deal, the official told.

Perhaps, but certainly, the S, Sudan’s call for the lifting of arms embargo seems right for the territory has to provide security across the borders and to its citizens to restore its integrity.