UN Security Council sanctions on South Sudan (resolution 2206)
- Founding resolution
- 2206 (2015), adopted 3 March 2015 3
- Measures
- Travel ban, asset freeze and arms embargo 1
- Arms embargo imposed
- Resolution 2428 (2018), adopted 13 July 2018 2
- Latest renewal
- Resolution 2821 (2026), adopted 29 May 2026 2
- Listed individuals
- 8, no entities, as shown on the committee's narrative summaries page 4
- Committee
- All 15 Council members, deciding by consensus 1
How the regime started
Resolution 2206 (2015), adopted on 3 March 2015, set up a travel ban and asset freeze on individuals and entities designated by the committee for threatening the peace, security or stability of South Sudan 3. The travel ban is in paragraph 9 and the asset freeze in paragraph 12 of that resolution 1.
The committee set up under resolution 2206 has all 15 members of the Security Council and makes its decisions by consensus 1. A Panel of Experts supports it 1.
The arms embargo
Resolution 2428 (2018), adopted on 13 July 2018, imposed an arms embargo to 31 May 2019 2. It renewed the asset freeze and travel ban, extended the Panel of Experts and added two individuals to the list 2. Exemptions to the arms embargo are in paragraph 5 of resolution 2428 1.
Resolution 2577 (2021), adopted on 28 May 2021, said the Council was ready to review the arms embargo measures against benchmarks 2. Security Council Report, an independent organisation, says there are five such benchmarks 6. Resolution 2683 (2023) waived notification for some non-lethal military equipment 2.
Listed individuals
The committee's narrative summaries page lists eight individuals and no entities 4. The committee's listing criteria come from resolutions 2521 (2020), 2577 (2021), 2683 (2023) and 2731 (2024) 1. They include obstructing peace processes, targeting civilians, recruiting or using children, attacks on UN missions or humanitarian staff, illicit exploitation of natural resources and impeding free and fair elections 1.
| Reference | Name | Listed on |
|---|---|---|
| SSi.001 | Gabriel Jok Riak 4 | 1 July 2015 4 |
| SSi.002 | Simon Gatwech Dual 4 | 1 July 2015 4 |
| SSi.003 | James Koang Chuol 4 | 1 July 2015 4 |
| SSi.004 | Santino Deng Wol 4 | 1 July 2015 4 |
| SSi.005 | Marial Chanuong Yol Mangok 4 | 1 July 2015 4 |
| SSi.006 | Peter Gadet 4 | 1 July 2015 4 |
| SSi.007 | Malek Reuben Riak Rengu 4 | 13 July 2018 4 |
| SSi.008 | Paul Malong Awan 4 | 13 July 2018 4 |
Renewals
The Council renews the measures each year, usually at the end of May 2,3. Recent renewals are below.
| Resolution | Adopted | Measures to | Panel of Experts to |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2821 (2026) | 29 May 2026 2 | 31 May 2027 2 | 1 July 2027 2 |
| 2781 (2025) | 30 May 2025 2 | 31 May 2026 2 | 1 July 2026 2 |
| 2731 (2024) | 30 May 2024 2 | 31 May 2025 2 | 1 July 2025 2 |
| 2683 (2023) | 30 May 2023 2 | 31 May 2024 2 | 1 July 2024 2 |
| 2633 (2022) | 26 May 2022 2 | 31 May 2023 2 | 1 July 2023 2 |
| 2577 (2021) | 28 May 2021 2 | 31 May 2022 2 | 1 July 2022 2 |
The 2026 vote
Resolution 2821 was adopted with 9 votes in favour, none against and 6 abstentions 5. China, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Pakistan, the Russian Federation and Somalia abstained 5. The UN summary says the text had no substantive changes from resolution 2781 (2025) 5.
The resolution asks the Secretary-General to assess progress on key benchmarks by 15 April 2027, and asks the South Sudanese authorities to report to the committee on the benchmarks by the same date 5. Security Council Report says the United States drafted the text 6. It says resolution 2781 in 2025 had six abstentions, from China, Pakistan, Russia, Somalia, Algeria and Sierra Leone 6.
Removal from the list
People on the South Sudan list can ask for removal through the UN Focal Point for De-listing 7. The South Sudan committee is among the committees the Focal Point covers 7. The 2206 committee page sets out exemptions to the travel ban in paragraph 11 and to the asset freeze in paragraphs 13 to 15 of resolution 2206 1.
Common questions
Is there a UN arms embargo on South Sudan?
Yes. Resolution 2428 imposed it on 13 July 2018, and resolution 2821 renewed it to 31 May 2027 2.
How many people are on the UN South Sudan list?
The committee's narrative summaries page lists eight individuals and no entities 4.
When do the UN sanctions on South Sudan expire?
Resolution 2821 renewed the measures to 31 May 2027 and the Panel of Experts mandate to 1 July 2027 2,5.
Who voted against the 2026 renewal?
No member voted against. Six members abstained 5.
How can a listed person ask to be removed?
Through the UN Focal Point for De-listing, which covers the South Sudan list 7.
Rules and fees change. Check the official site linked above before you apply or pay. Spotted an error? Email [email protected] with the official link.
Sources
- United Nations Security Council: Committee established pursuant to resolution 2206 (2015) concerning South Sudan (accessed 20 October 2026)
- United Nations Security Council: 2206 Committee resolutions, 2018 to 2026 (accessed 20 October 2026)
- United Nations Security Council: 2206 Committee resolutions, 2015 to 2017 (accessed 20 October 2026)
- United Nations Security Council: 2206 Committee narrative summaries of reasons for listing (accessed 20 October 2026)
- UN Meetings Coverage: Security Council 10161st meeting, SC/16374, renewal of South Sudan sanctions (May 2026)
- Security Council Report (independent organisation): What's In Blue, South Sudan Sanctions, Vote on a Draft Resolution (28 May 2026)
- United Nations Security Council: Focal Point for De-listing (accessed 20 October 2026)
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