In July 2018 the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) established in Security Council Resolution 2428 sanctions against South Sudan including a time limited embargo on the supply of arms and military equipment of all types. The embargo allows for the relevant Sanctions Committee to to make certain exemptions to it. The Resolution was not unanimously adopted.
The sanctions were imposed in reaction to the conflict between the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGNU) and opposition forces that has resulted in great human suffering, including significant loss of life, conflict-induced food insecurity and threat of famine, displacement of more than four million people, and the loss of property, further impoverishing and disadvantaging the people of South Sudan.
The embargo allowed the supply of arms and related materiel, as well as technical training and assistance, to or in support of the African Union Regional Task Force intended solely for regional operations to counter the Lord’s Resistance Army, as notified in advance to the Committee.
It also allowed the supply of arms and related materiel, as well as technical training and assistance, solely in support of the implementation of the terms of the peace agreement in South Sudan, as approved in advance by the relevant Sanctions Committee.
In 2022 the UNSC decided to soften the arms embargo by replacing the approval requirement for the supply of non-lethal military equipment, solely in support of the implementation of the terms of the peace agreement, with the requirement to notify in advance the relevant Sanctions Committee.
The embargo is time limited and has been renewed annually and is currently in force until 31 May 2025.