China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Sun Lei, made an explanatory speech after the Security Council voted on the draft resolution to extend the South Sudan sanctions authorization on May 29, urging the Security Council to adjust or lift relevant sanctions in a timely manner when conditions are ripe.
He said that the voting on the draft resolution was generally a technical extension, but the original sanctions resolution put excessive pressure on South Sudan and many statements in the text were unbalanced. China has always had reservations about the relevant content, so it abstained from the vote. The Security Council has imposed an arms embargo on South Sudan for nearly eight years, restricting the South Sudanese government's ability to protect civilians and maintain domestic stability. Lifting the arms embargo is a consistent demand of South Sudan and other countries in the region. China calls on the Security Council to pay attention to Africa's strong voices and legitimate concerns, promptly adjust or lift relevant sanctions when conditions are ripe, and avoid using sanctions as a political tool to exert pressure or even interfere in internal affairs. China has always maintained that sanctions are a means rather than an end, and the Security Council should actively help the countries concerned to work for the final lifting of sanctions.
He said that China supports South Sudan’s orderly preparations for elections, and supports the United Nations, the African Union, the Intergovernmental Organization for Development in East Africa (IGAD) and others to strengthen mediation and joint efforts. On the basis of respecting South Sudan’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, China encourages all parties to resolve differences through dialogue and consultation, jointly implement the revitalization agreement, promote political transition, and achieve peace, stability, development and revitalization at an early date.
The United Nations Security Council passed a resolution on the 29th to extend the arms embargo and targeted sanctions against South Sudan for one year to May 31, 2027, and extend the term of the expert group assisting the work of the South Sudan Sanctions Committee to July 1, 2027. The resolution was passed that day with 9 votes in favor and 6 abstentions. Three African members of the Security Council, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Somalia, China, Pakistan and Russia, abstained from voting.
