South Sudan has condemned the United NationsSecurity Council decision to extend an arms embargo and targeted sanctions onthe conflict-torn country for another year. The Foreign Ministry spokesman, Mawien Makol Ariksaid the extension of the sanctions was uncalled for, given that the EastAfrican nation is implementing a peace deal signed in September 2018. The sanctions would not deter the parties to thepeace agreement from moving forward because the government is committed to theattainment of lasting peace in South Sudan. The UN Security Council extended the arms embargoand sanctions until May 31st, 2020. The resolution was adopted by a vote of ten infavour, with five abstentions from three African countries in thefifteen-member council and from Russia and China. The arms embargo was first imposed in July 2018after violence escalated in the world’s youngest nation following the collapseof the August 2015 peace deal.