Islamabad: With Pakistan abstaining, the UN Security Council extended for one year the sanctions imposed on South Sudan, including asset freezes, travel bans and an arms embargo – amid concerns expressed by some speakers that the African position on the issue is being overlooked and that sanctions are hindering progress towards lasting peace.

Nine of the 15 Council members voted in favour, none against, with six abstentions (Pakistan, China, Russia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia,  and Somalia).

Along with renewing those measures until 31 May 2027, the Council also extended the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the 2206 South Sudan Sanctions Committee until 1 July 2027.

The United States drafted the text and led negotiations on it, with no substantive changes from the previous resolution 2781 (2025).

Earlier this year, the Council was warned that South Sudan risks relapsing into full-scale civil war.

Explaining his vote, Pakistan’s Deputy Permanent Representative, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, said that Islamabad had consistently abstained because sanctions “should be used judiciously, reviewed periodically and should not become open-ended or punitive in nature”.

“Their purpose should be to support political solutions and stabilization efforts, the Pakistani envoy said, adding, “We also note the African Union’s position against continued sanctions on South Sudan.”

The deteriorating political and security situation raises important questions regarding the effectiveness of the current sanctions regime, Ambassador Jadoon said.

Also Read: UN Adds Israel to List of Parties Accused of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence

South Sudan, the world’s newest country, gained independence in 2011, prompting the establishment of a UN peacekeeping mission to support stability.  However, fighting between rival factions erupted in its capital Juba and quickly spread nationwide in 2013, triggering a major political and security crisis.  A 2015 peace agreement collapsed soon after it was signed, but a Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan signed in 2018 led to the formation of a Transitional Government.  Yet, violence and political tensions persist.

According to the Secretary-General’s latest report on the key benchmarks the period from 2025 to 2026 has been the most difficult since the agreement was signed, marked by stagnation and troubling reversals.

In Friday’s decision, the Council requested the Secretary-General, in close consultation with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the Panel of Experts, “to conduct, no later than 15 April 2027, an assessment of progress achieved on the key benchmarks established in paragraph 2 of resolution 2577 (2021); including recommendations on appropriate updates to the benchmarks”. It also requested South Sudanese authorities to report, by the same date, to the Sanctions Committee on the progress achieved on the key benchmarks.

In his remarks, Ambassador Jadoon, went on to say, “Lasting peace in South Sudan will be advanced through sustained political engagement, implementation of the Revitalized Agreement,” and that “We will continue to engage constructively with all partners in support of durable peace and stability in South Sudan.”

United States’ Ambassador Jennifer Locette, while welcoming the mandate renewal, voiced disappointment over the lack of progress on benchmarks and deterioration of the political and security situation in South Sudan, due to a lack of political will by President Salva Kiir and other South Sudanese leaders.

She urged them to return to direct dialogue, calling it “farcical” to suggest dialogue is occurring when one of the signatories to the 2018 peace agreement is under house arrest and on trial.

The Council cannot accept obstruction of the peace process, the US envoy said.

She called on the transitional Government to deliver all steps to restore peace by declaring a national ceasefire, releasing detainees, renouncing the use of violence for political purposes and using public revenue appropriately to support South Sudan’s citizens.

New York: Israel has been included for the first time in a United Nations list of parties accused of committing conflict-related sexual violence, according to a report issued by the office of UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

The report states that the UN verified 31 cases of sexual violence allegedly committed by Israeli security personnel against Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. According to the findings, 13 cases were documented in 2025, while the remaining incidents were recorded during the previous two years.

The verified cases involved men, women and children, and included allegations of rape, gang rape, forced nudity and other forms of sexual abuse. The report attributes the alleged violations to members of the Israeli military, police and prison authorities.

The United Nations noted that the documented cases represent only verified incidents and should be viewed as indicative of broader patterns rather than a complete account of all alleged abuses.

Israel strongly rejected the allegations. Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon accused the UN leadership of bias and misinformation, while Israel’s UN mission announced that it would suspend engagement with the office of Secretary-General António Guterres.

According to the report, UN investigators faced obstacles in conducting comprehensive investigations, including limited access to detainees and allegations that some victims were discouraged from reporting abuse.

The report comes amid growing international scrutiny over the treatment of Palestinian detainees. One widely reported case involved alleged abuse at the Sde Teiman detention facility, where leaked CCTV footage appeared to show guards mistreating a Palestinian detainee. The incident attracted global attention and intensified calls for accountability.

Human rights organizations and international observers have repeatedly raised concerns regarding conditions in Israeli detention facilities and the handling of abuse allegations. Israeli authorities, however, maintain that any suspected misconduct is investigated under Israeli and international legal standards.

The report also references allegations of sexual violence committed by Hamas. The UN stated that several former hostages released from Gaza reported abuse during captivity, although investigators were unable to independently verify some claims due to limited access.

The latest findings are expected to further intensify international debate over accountability, detainee rights and alleged violations of international humanitarian law during the ongoing conflict.

Karachi: Pakistan’s new private airline South Air has officially launched its first flight operations with its first Karachi Gwadar flight.

According to details, Flight No. Z8-905 departed from Karachi to Gwadar at 12:00 noon on Monday, marking a major milestone as South Air formally commenced its commercial air operations.

The airline management also confirmed that a new aircraft has reached Sukkur Airport as part of preparations to launch operations from the city in the near future.

Also Read: South Air ready to launch regional flight operations, connecting regions of pakistan

The launch of the Karachi, Gwadar route is being seen as an important step toward improving regional air connectivity, particularly for the coastal city of Gwadar.

The business community in Gwadar welcomed the new air service, saying it will significantly improve travel and trade links between Gwadar, Karachi and other major cities. Traders said the direct air connection will save time, ease travel difficulties, and enhance commercial activity in the region.