Security Council Renews Sanctions against Those Blocking Peace in South Sudan, Authorizes Mandate Extension for Panel of Experts Overseeing Them

Presidential Statement Welcomes Progress on Juba Security, Opposition Forces’ Return to Capital, While Regretting Lack of Full Implementation

Determining that the situation in South Sudan posed a continuing threat to regional peace and security, the Security Council today renewed, until 1 June, the sanctions imposed by resolution 2206 (2015) against those blocking peace in the war-torn country, including a travel ban and a freeze on their assets.

Unanimously adopting resolution 2280 (2016) under Article 41 of Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the Council also decided to extend, until 1 July, the mandate of the Panel of Experts overseeing the sanctions, with the intention of reviewing it and deciding, no later than 15 April, whether to renew it further.

In a separate action, the 15-member Council issued a presidential statement (document S/PRST/2016/3) read out by Liu Jieyi (China), its President for April, in which it welcomed progress made on steps outlined in its 17 March presidential statement on the matter.  They included implementation of the Juba security arrangements and the return of some members of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) to the capital.

The Council expressed regret, nonetheless, that the steps set forth in the earlier text had not been fully met.  It strongly urged all parties to complete them and to implement fully the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.  The meeting began at 1:25 p.m. and ended at 1:28 p.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 2280 (2016) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Recalling its previous resolutions and statements on South Sudan, in particular resolutions 2057 (2012), 2109 (2013), 2132 (2013), 2155 (2014) 2187 (2014), 2206 (2015), 2241 (2015), 2252 (2015), and 2271 (2016),

“Determining that the situation in South Sudan continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region,

“Acting under Article 41 of Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

“1.   Decides to renew until 1 June 2016 the measures imposed by paragraphs 9 and 12 of resolution 2206 (2015), and reaffirms the provisions of paragraphs 10, 11, 13, 14 and 15 of resolution 2206 (2015);

“2.   Decides to extend until 1 July 2016 the mandate of the Panel of Experts as set out in paragraph 18 of resolution 2206 (2015), expresses its intention to review the mandate and take appropriate action regarding the further extension no later than 1 June 2016;

“3.   Decides to remain seized of the matter.”

Presidential Statement

The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2016/3 reads as follows:

“The Security Council recalls its intention to review progress on steps outlined in its presidential statement (S/PRST/2016/1) of 17 March 2016.  The Security Council welcomes that some progress was made on the steps outlined in S/PRST/2016/1, including progress on implementation of the Juba security arrangements, including the return of some members of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) to Juba, South Sudan.  The Security Council regrets, nonetheless, that the steps outlined in S/PRST/2016/1 were not fully met and strongly urges all parties to complete those steps and to fully implement the ‘Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.’  The Security Council expresses its intention to review progress achieved on the steps outlined in S/PRST/2016/1 by 30 April 2016.

“The Security Council reaffirms its unwavering support for the people of South Sudan.”