3 March 2015 - The best way to avoid UN Security Council sanctions was for both parties to South Sudan’s conflict to strictly abide by the Cessation of Hostilities agreement of 23 January 2014, UN chief Ban Ki-moon said today.

In a statement issued by the Secretary-General’s spokesperson, Mr. Ban had noted the unanimous passing of a Security Council resolution which established a sanctions regime on South Sudan.

“(The Security Council) underscores its willingness to impose targeted sanctions in order to support the search for an inclusive and sustainable peace in South Sudan,” the text of the resolution read.

While no listings were made, the resolution said sanctions are expected to apply to individuals and entities established “as responsible for or complicit in, or having engaged in, directly or indirectly, actions or policies that threaten the peace, security or stability of South Sudan”.

The Council said these would include actions or policies “with the purpose or effect of expanding or extending the conflict and obstructing reconciliation or peace talks or processes … including breaches of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement”.

Other actions would include violating international human rights law or international humanitarian law and obstructing activities of international peacekeeping, diplomatic, or humanitarian missions in South Sudan.

The Council decided it could impose a travel ban and assets freeze for an initial period of one year on individuals and entities designated by a sanctions committee to be established through the resolution. The travel ban would apply to individuals, while the assets freeze would apply to individuals as well as entities such as government, opposition or militia groups.

To assist the relevant sanctions committee in its work, the Council requested the Secretary-General to set up a five-member panel of experts to provide information relevant to the potential designation of individuals and entities.

The panel, whose mandate will be considered no later than 2 March 2016, will be responsible for collecting and analyzing information regarding the flow of arms and related military assistance to those undermining the peace process and committing violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.

The Secretary-General in the statement also urged both parties to conclude a Comprehensive Peace Agreement that would place South Sudan back on the path to stability and prosperity.

“As the 5 March deadline set by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) mediation for the conclusion of the South Sudan negotiations approaches, the Secretary-General strongly urges President Salva Kiir and former Vice President Riek Machar to show leadership (and) put the wellbeing of South Sudanese ahead of all other interests,” the statement said.

Mr. Ban called on both parties to make the necessary compromises to conclude a power-sharing agreement that paved the way for a comprehensive settlement of the conflict in South Sudan.