By Lodu William Odiya
President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Wednesday reiterated a call for immediate lifting of sanctions and embargo, imposed on South Sudan.
In his address during reopening of the National Assembly, President Kiir applauded the continued support and urged for joint efforts toward lifting the arms embargo on South Sudan.
“We are grateful to the Troika, EU, IGAD, African Union, and others; your support remains invaluable. However, I reiterate our call for the immediate lifting of sanctions and the arms embargo,” Kiir said.
On several occasions the head of state and the government officials always called for the lifting of the army embargo and sanctions, adding that it delays the implementation of the unification of forces.
“These measures have served their purpose; they now hinder our progress and security reform,” he added.
The UN Security Council imposed the arms embargo on the young nation in 2018, and its sanctions regime dates back to 2015.
The arms embargo restricts South Sudan from purchasing weapons from UN member states.
The sanctions consist of a travel ban, asset freeze, and arms embargo imposed in response to continued conflict in the country.
Despite the embargo, violations had continued, including the deployment of Ugandan soldiers and military equipment to South Sudan in March 2025.
However, President Kiir, in his remarks during an official opening of the Transitional Legislative Assembly in Juba, reaffirmed peace, security, and national unity remain the top priorities of his government’s agenda.
“I have said this before, and I say it again with absolute resolve that South Sudan will not go back to war,” he reiterated.
He stated that the government had achieved important milestones, citing the establishment of the revitalized institutions, the graduation and deployment of unified forces, and the ongoing dialogue with political formations at all levels.
“I have reconstituted the High-Level Standing Committee for the implementation of the Peace Agreement to work closely with the electoral and transitional justice institutions, ensuring that their responsibilities are fully and timely executed,” he said.
Kiir explained to international partners that peaceful coexistence, regional cooperation, and mutual respect underpin South Sudan’s foreign policy.
“We are grateful to the Troika, EU, IGAD, African Union, and others; your support remains invaluable,” Kiir added.
President Kiir urged all parties to the Peace Agreement to recommit without setting preconditions or reservations to complete the remaining transitional tasks in time for free, fair, and credible elections in 2026.
The country is due to hold long-delayed general elections in December 2026, and some wonder if the world’s youngest nation would be ready.