UN Security Council Can Sanction S Sudan After Peace Talks Deadline Passes

After the South Sudan peace talks failed to result in an agreement by the March 5 deadline, the UN Security Council warned that it could impose an arms embargo and introduce targeted measures against those who threaten security in the country.

UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) – In a statement released on Tuesday, members of the Security Council expressed "profound disappointment" over President Salva Kiir and former Vice President Riek Machar's failure to reach a deal on transitional agreements, saying that in the current situation the council "reiterates its willingness to impose sanctions against those who threaten the peace, security or stability of South Sudan."

The statement calls for the rapid establishment of a panel of experts to help the Sanctions Committee, including by transferring to it relevant information on individuals or entities that could potentially be subjected to sanctions.

The new South Sudan sanctions committee, chaired by Chile, has scheduled its first meeting for March 25 to discuss the draft guidelines for its work.

Violence erupted in South Sudan in December, 2013, when President Salva Kiir accused opposition leader Riek Machar of plotting a coup.

According to the International Crisis Group, over 50,000 people have been killed in the conflict.