Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


                      Obama Asked to Support Arms Embargo

   by Joe DeCapua

   Nearly 30 South Sudanese and international organizations are calling on
   President Obama to support a U.N. arms embargo on South Sudan. The
   human rights and humanitarian groups say the flow of weapons has
   brought increasing attacks on civilians.

   The Obama administration has been reluctant to support an arms embargo
   on South Sudan. It's reportedly concerned the weapons ban would
   disproportionately hurt the government. Some European countries and
   Australia favor such an embargo.

   The U.S. does support targeted sanctions and travel bans on
   individuals. In November, the administration said it would circulate a
   draft resolution on sanctions, but that has not materialized yet.

   The groups calling for the arms embargo have sent a letter to Mr. Obama
   that said, "The conflict that erupted in Juba thirteen months ago has
   been characterized by a complete disregard for international human
   rights and humanitarian law."

   It went on to say that "South Sudan's capital Juba as well as Upper
   Nile, Jonglei, and Unity states have seen gruesome attacks on civilians
   and massive destruction and pillage that amount to war crimes -- and in
   some cases acts that should be investigated as crimes against
   humanity."

   In Nairobi, Nyagoah Tut spoke on behalf of Amnesty International.

   `It is one year since the conflict started and the recent actions by
   the parties to the conflict do not suggest that the conflict is about
   to end anytime soon.'

   The rights and humanitarian groups said, "Serious human rights abuses
   by government and opposition forces - as well as other armed actors
   allied to them - have also pushed much of the country into one of the
   world's worst humanitarian crises."

   They said that nearly two-million people have been displaced and are
   vulnerable to possible famine.

   "The conflict in South Sudan has been characterized by the use of small
   and light weapons. Most of them have been acquired because people are
   obviously in the army and others were able to get them when they were
   defecting from the army. They were also able to capture them. But there
   are countries that are supplying South Sudan with ammunition and the
   longer this is allowed to happen then the longer the conflict becomes
   protracted," said Tut.

   Edmund Yakani is executive director of the Community Empowerment for
   Progress Organization or CEPO. From Juba, he said, "The warring parties
   are not much interested in merely reaching a solution, peaceful
   solution. The warring parties are much more interested in sorting out
   their political differences with a military approach."

   South Sudan peace talks are being brokered by IGAD, the
   Intergovernmental Authority on Development. IGAD heads of state will
   meet in Addis Ababa on January 18th to assess what, if any, progress is
   being made.

   Yakani said as the summit approaches warring parties are trying to
   better their military positions.

   "The military frontline is opening up. The last three days there's a
   military confrontation between South Sudan's army and the rebels. And
   unfortunately, all the international community [is] quiet. We have not
   seen a very strong condemnation on that," he said.

   The letter to President Obama also warned that "ethnic killings will
   continue and could drastically intensify." In addition, it said, "An
   arms embargo would help to halt the supply of weapons to individuals
   and groups who have committed serious violations of human rights, war
   crimes and crimes against humanity."

   Geoffrey Duke of The South Sudan Network on Small Arms said that "more
   weapons will mean more fuel to the fire."

   NGOs have called for an arms embargo for South Sudan since early last
   year.

   The government said South Sudan is a sovereign nation and has the right
   to buy arms. It said the rebels are obstructing peace and calls the NGO
   letter an "unfortunate document written by the enemies of South Sudan."
   The rebels, however, said they would welcome an arms embargo.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/south-sudan-arms-embargo-8jan15/25904
   11.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/south-sudan-arms-embargo-8jan15/2590411.html