US targets three people over activities in South Sudan’s civil war

Washington, DC, December 14, 2018 (SSNA) — The United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on three individuals for their roles in the ongoing civil war. The moves come less than a day after Washington announced that it has ended its financial assistance to Juba, accusing the South Sudanese government of being corrupt and a source of suffering of its citizens.

The U.S. sanctioned one Israeli and two South Sudanese, accusing the three men of exploiting the war to profit themselves.

Among the targeted individuals are a South Sudanese businessman Obac William Olawo and retired Israeli military official Israel Ziv. The United States accused the two men of running companies whose actions prolong the war. Washington also sanctioned Gregory Vasili AKA Deng Kuach Aduol, a South Sudanese official for what is described as his “actions that have undermined peace, stability, and security” in the young nation.

“Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on three individuals pursuant to Executive Order (E.O) 13664:  Israel Ziv and Obac William Olawo, for being leaders of entities whose actions have the purpose or effect of expanding or extending the conflict in South Sudan, and Gregory Vasili, for actions that have undermined peace, stability, and security in South Sudan,” The Treasury Department says.

The US says it is targeting anyone who “provided soldiers, armored vehicles, and weapons used to fuel the conflict” to prolong the conflict.

“Treasury is targeting individuals who have provided soldiers, armored vehicles, and weapons used to fuel the conflict in South Sudan.  We are intent on holding accountable those who profit off the misery and suffering of the South Sudanese people and facilitate violence against civilians,” US Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Sigal Mandelker said.

The United States has previously given warnings to South Sudanese leaders, urging them to end the war or face American punishments. The U.S. also warned that it is prepared to target anyone or entity profiting from the war.