US Treasury announces sanctions on South Sudan officials

Washington, United States | THE INDEPENDENT |  The United States  Department of the Treasury on Wednesday announced targeted sanctions on Gen. Paul Malong Awan, former South Sudan’s army chief of general staff, and two other Sudanese officials for their “roles in threatening the peace, security, or stability of the country.”

The sanctions will also affect three companies that are owned or controlled by one of those individuals.

According to a statement, “The measures taken today against Malek Reuben Riak Rengu, Michael Makuei Lueth, and Paul Malong Awan make clear that the U.S. Government will impose consequences on those who expand the conflict and derail peace efforts.”

Malong was sacked by Kiir in May this year.  Gen Malek Reuben Riak Rengu is the SPLA Deputy Chief of Defence for Logistics and reportedly controls the company being targeted, while Michael Makuei Lueth is information minister.

Treasury Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert, in the statement, said they had also released a Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Advisory alerting U.S. financial institutions to the possibility that certain South Sudanese senior political figures may try to use the U.S. financial system to move or hide proceeds of public corruption.

“The United States stands ready to impose other measures against those responsible for undermining the peace, security, or stability of South Sudan. As the Advisory demonstrates, the United States is committed to increasing scrutiny on those who enrich themselves through corruption while the South Sudanese people suffer through economic hardship and a dire humanitarian crisis.”

USG announces sanctions on #SouthSudan officials. Its govt must honor ceasefires, stop human rights abuses, & act against corruption. pic.twitter.com/zTZUlC9rHO

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— Heather Nauert (@statedeptspox) September 6, 2017

Six million people in South Sudan – half of the population – face life-threatening hunger while more than four million people have been displaced from their homes, including two million refugees.

“This is a man-made crisis, and one the Government of South Sudan can stop, ” said the statement.

“We continue to make clear to South Sudan’s leaders that they must honor their declared ceasefire, revive the 2015 Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan by engaging meaningfully with opposition parties, bring an end to atrocities, stop the harassment of aid workers, stem human rights abuses, cooperate fully with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, and take action against corruption. We urge all parties to engage constructively and seriously in the upcoming Intergovernmental Authority on Development High-Level Revitalization Forum for the South Sudan peace process.”