In the letter to Ambassador Power, Chairman Royce wrote: “The United Nations Security Council must expeditiously impose stringent sanctions against senior members from the government and opposition in South Sudan to send a clear message that the international community will not tolerate violations of the cessation of hostilities and the derailing of the May 9th Agreement. A U.N. sanction regime would complement the Administration’s effort and place additional pressure on both sides of the conflict to change course. South Sudanese leaders must know they will be held accountable for gross human rights violations.
Additionally, the Security Council should impose a comprehensive arms embargo on South Sudan. Weapons that enter the country only increase the likelihood of atrocities against civilians. Each day that passes without strong actions from the international community is another day innocent southern Sudanese are at greater risk of a cruel death and possible starvation.”
Earlier this year, Chairman Royce convened a hearing to examine the situation in South Sudan. In December, Chairman Royce and other congressional leaders, in a letter to South Sudan President Kiir, called for an end to the hostilities.
