UN threatens arms embargo on South Sudan if it does not allow troops into country
The United Nations Security Council approved the deployment of a 4,000-strong protection force in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, as part of the UN peacekeeping mission and threatened an arms embargo if the government does not cooperate.
The US-drafted resolution was adopted after 11 member states voted in its favour.
Russia, Egypt and Venezuela abstained from the vote.
The authorization comes after a latest spat of fighting erupted in Juba last month, killing close to 300 people and forcing hundreds of thousands to flee to neighbouring countries.
Troops loyal to President Salva Kiir clashed with those loyal to Riek Machar in a five-day gun battle that begun just outside the country’s statehouse.
Following the violence, Machar led his forces outside Juba.
President Kiir later sacked Machar and replaced him with Taban Deng, a move that has received international criticism.
This was the second time Kiir sacked Machar, the first coming in December 2013 after accusing him of plotting to overthrow his government.
