The United States has sanctioned two South Sudanese officials over their alleged involvement in actions violating or undermining peace in the country.
According to the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Minister of Cabinet Affairs Martin Elia Lomuro and Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs Kuol Manyang Juuk were blacklisted for their role in perpetuating the conflict by obstructing the peace process.
“Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned two Government of South Sudan officials, Minister of Cabinet Affairs Martin Elia Lomuro and Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs Kuol Manyang Juuk, for their involvement in actions undermining peace in South Sudan,” reads a statement in part.
“OFAC designated Martin Elia Lomuro and Kuol Manyang Juuk under Executive Order 13664 “Blocking Property of Certain Persons with Respect to South Sudan,” which targets those responsible for or complicit in, or who have engaged in, actions or policies that threaten the peace, security, or stability of South Sudan, among other activities,”
The US said efforts to undermine peace rob South Sudan of the security, stability, and confidence in government needed to negotiate and implement a lasting peace and asserted that the South Sudanese deserve leaders who are committed to laying the groundwork for a successful, peaceful political transition.
Civil war started in South Sudan in 2013 after the country gained independence from Sudan. The conflict has killed an estimated 400,000 people and forced millions from their homes.
President Salva Kiir led-government has allocated $40m to speed up the integration of its soldiers with armed rebel fighters to create a unified national army an indicator of a stalled peace agreement aimed at creating a power-sharing government after years of civil war.
The move reported on December 13, 2019 came as President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar held rare face-to-face talks in the capital, Juba.
The cash injection is part of $100m pledged by Kiir’s government to help fund the peace process – a promise yet to be delivered.
