By Adia Jildo
The Minister of Higher Education Science and Technology, Gabriel Changson Chang has called on the International Community to sanction South Sudan over guns acquisition and rather support the country in other initiatives such as scholarships, supply of medicines to elevate the livelihood of the people.
Changson made the statement while addressing the audience in Freedom Hall yesterday on the extension of the transitional period saying lack of support from the International Community will only affect their interests as they will only be managing crisis and not gaining.
“Don’t give us guns, give us medicines, give us scholarships,” he told the diplomatic Corps. “Sanction us in certain areas and support us in other areas. Otherwise if you leave us alone we will look inward,” he added.
The Higher Education Minister cited that education is a challenge to the country as majority of the Country’s population, over 70% are illiterate hence underdevelopment.
“What is making things difficult in South Sudan is lack of education. Over 70% of the people are uneducated, how do you compare them with those in the west if they are not to be lifted,” Changson hinted.
He stressed that inability of the international communities to support the country will only affect their interest in the Country.
“My appeal to the international communities is that we might have made our own mistakes but I think peace in South Sudan is cross cutting issue and if you let us be in war then your interest in the region will also be affected. And you will be managing crisis,” he underscored.
On the 26th May 2022, the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution renewing the South Sudan sanctions regime which included arms embargo and targeted sanctions on individuals until 1st July 2023.
The Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) has often protested the UN Security Council arms embargo on the Country blaming it for obstructing the graduation of the Necessary Unified Forces which is a key component of the peace implementation.