US slaps arms embargo on South Sudan, urges UN to do same

WASHINGTON – The Trump administration is imposing a US arms embargo on civil war-torn South Sudan while urging the United Nations and other countries to do the same.

The State Department said Friday the US is restricting all sales of defense equipment and services to all parties to South Sudan's conflict, saying it is "appalled" by the continuing violence that has defied a cease-fire. It's mostly symbolic since the US has almost no defense trade with the East African country in the first place.

The United States is also calling on South Sudan's neighbors to implement similar arms restrictions and urging the UN Security Council to support a global embargo on the country. "The message must be clear - the United States, the region and the international community will not stand idly by as innocent South Sudanese civilians are murdered," the statement said.