The government of South Sudan on Friday denied violating the arms embargo imposed by the United Nations on the country since 2018.

Earlier this week, a new report by a United Nations Panel of Experts on South Sudan said the government in Juba had breached an arms embargo imposed on it in 2018 after it appeared to have recently procured new armoured personnel carriers.

The report reveals that at least 10 armoured personnel carriers, distinct in both design and colour from those purchased in violation of the arms embargo in late 2021 or early 2022, were flagged off by President Salva Kiir for a regional peacekeeping mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“They are also distinct from those known to have been purchased by the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces before the imposition of the arms embargo by the Security Council with a resolution,” the report stated.

However, responding to the report, National Minister of Information and Government Spokesperson Michael Makuei Lueth said they had only bought cars for the mobility of army generals.

“What I know so far is we have not purchased any armoured cars. What I know is that the army bought some cars for the general, these are the cars which I know and if it is said that buying cars for the mobility of the army is a violation of the arms embargo, then it is unfortunate,” Makuei said while addressing reporters in Juba after the cabinet meeting.

“Arms embargo means anything to do with armament, arms and ammunitions and cars that could be used for carrying arms. We are not buying anything other than cars for the mobility of the army unless they are telling us don’t buy them, don’t buy cars walk on foot; then this is where we can accept it,” he added. 

In 2018, the UN Security Council imposed an arms embargo on South Sudan to end a prevailing civil war at that time.

The government of South Sudan has, over the years, been lobbying members of the UN Security Council to have the embargo lifted.

The UN expert report also noted that continued delay by South Sudan authorities to implement provisions of the 2018 peace agreement could plunge the country into further chaos.