Ukrinmash denies Amnesty International’s allegations of illegal arms supplies to South Sudan

Earlier on Monday, September 25, Amnesty International released a report titled “From London to Juba. A UK-registered company’s role in one of the largest arms deals to South Sudan” where the organization accused Ukraine, in particular the state-owned company Ukrinmash, of complicity in illegal arms supplies to South Sudan.

“The involvement of a Ukrainian state-owned arms company in prospective weapons supplies to South Sudan contradicts Ukraine’s international obligations: as a signatory to the Arms Trade Treaty it must not take any action that would undermine the object and purpose of the treaty,” Amnesty International said.

“Pending the imposition of a UN Security Council arms embargo, Ukraine must adhere to its stated policies to promote regional and international security and stability through responsible arms transfers, and immediately cease transfers of arms and any logistical assistance to the South Sudanese government, including equipment, maintenance and training provided by its nationals,” the report reads.

Read alsoRussia tried to conceal own participation in DPRK missile program by blaming Ukraine – TurchynovAmnesty International has also called on Ukraine to “ratify the Arms Trade Treaty as soon as possible”.

Ukrinmash spokesperson in his comment to UNIAN said, "There came a request to the state-owned company Ukrinmash from Amnesty International in August on arms supplies, and an official response was provided to Amnesty International, also in August, that Ukrinmash never supplied weapons under this contract."

Read alsoUkraine’s Yuzhnoye furious over "false" opinions on country’s missile ties with N.Korea, calls allegations "ludicrous""Ukraine and Ukrinmash in particular have not supplied weapons to South Sudan since 2014," the spokesperson stressed.

"That is, there is a fait accompli because there was an actual contract signed, but it was not executed, is not being executed now, and will never be executed. It is void. It’s nothing," said the representative of the state company.