UN SC Passes Resolution on Mission to South Sudan With Russia Abstaining

The UN Security Council approved a resolution on the mandate of the UN Mission in South Sudan.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The UN Security Council on Friday approved a resolution on the mandate of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), with Russia and Venezuela abstaining.

"We were not able to vote in favour of the document since its sponsors failed to take into account certain serious concerns of the Russian Federation and a number of other Security Council delegations. Inter alia, we cannot agree with the wording as an ultimatum of sanctions against South Sudan," Russia's Deputy Permanent Representative Petr Iliichev told the Security Council on Friday.

Russia is also against the drone use without the consent of the government of South Sudan, saying it undermined sovereignty.

In August, South Sudan President Salva Kiir signed a peace agreement with the country’s opposition faction after the United Nations threatened to act immediately if Kiir backed out of the deal.

In December 2013, Kiir accused then-Vice President Riek Machar of plotting a coup, which sparked clashes between government forces and rebel groups despite a number of ceasefire agreements.

The UN Security Council has imposed sanctions on South Sudanese commanders, loyal to both Kiir and Machar, over their role in expanding the conflict in the country, as well as involvement in attacks on civilians.