The Washington Center for Human Rights (WCHR) calls on the United Nations Security Council to extend and strictly enforce the arms embargo on South Sudan, before it is due to expire on 31 May 2025. Recent confirmed reports indicate egregious breaches of the embargo, including the deployment of Ugandan troops and operational use of military helicopters by South Sudanese forces — triggering serious concerns over civilian protection amidst escalating violence.
Ugandan military presence breaches embargo terms
Since 11 March 2025, the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have been operating in South Sudan, with UPDF troops and military hardware witnessed in Juba and Nimule, in gross violation of the 2018 UN arms embargo (UNSCR 2428). Confirmed video evidence has UPDF soldiers arriving at Juba International Airport and moving tanks via armored vehicles displaying Ugandan military plates — all of which were not passed through the UN Sanctions Committee, as should be the case.
While UPDF officials assert the mission is to defend the capital “at the request” of South Sudan and deny peacekeeping, their official story and actions indicate an armed intervention that violates international law and the Security Council’s mandate.
Helicopter gunships used in potential war crimes
Amnesty International and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) cite that South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) carried out aerial assaults with Mi-24 helicopter gunships, such as a 4 May airstrike on a humanitarian pharmacy in Old Fangak, killing 7 and injuring 20. Eyewitnesses also reported analogous attacks in Mayom County, killing 6 civilians.
These helicopters had been grounded in 2018 before coming back into operational service, strongly suggesting illegal importation of spare parts — a persistent violation of the arms embargo.
Private companies facilitating violations must be held accountable
Proof also points towards Freedom Airlines Express, who confirmed carrying UPDF soldiers and their arms into South Sudan. Although the airline asserts it did not transport arms “beyond standard firearms,” its actions directly contravene embargo measures. Amnesty also associated Turkish-made Katmerciler Hizir Armoured Personnel Carriers with the UPDF operation, pointing towards the use of third-party logistics in perpetuating conflict.
WCHR replicates Amnesty International’s calls for businesses to immediately suspend business in supplying arms to South Sudan and for proper human rights due diligence across all conflict areas.
UNSC must act to protect civilian lives
WCHR emphasises that the arms embargo might not have concluded the South Sudan violence but stands as a precious bulwark against the intensification of human rights violations. That it lacks teeth only empowers perpetrators, directly threatening the populations already grappling with extended instability.
This is not the time to lift the embargo and pour more arms into the conflict. The Security Council needs to extend the embargo, apply it fiercely, and hold perpetrators to account.