Pakistan, May 31 -- With Pakistan abstaining, the UN Security Council Friday 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 tex...