S. Sudan rebels criticize sanctions targeting individuals

South Sudan’s rebel group the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) criticized the use of individual sanctions as a means to end the eight month civil war.

South Sudan’s rebel group the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) criticized the use of individual sanctions as a means to end the eight month civil war.

On Tuesday, a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) delegation to South Sudan spoke with both President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Machar to retiterate the threat of targeted sanctions on individuals stalling peace talks or committing human rights violations.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj Tuesday, SPLM-IO head of external relations committee Dhieu Mathok Diing said such individual sanctions are not in the interest of peace and urged the delegation to instead consider sanctioning institutions to compel the warring parties to negotiate.

Already, rebel general Peter Gadet has been sanctioned with asset freezes and travel bans by the United States and the European Union. Two government generals, Marial Chanuong and Santino Deng, have also been sanctioned.

With peace talks stuck and violence ongoing there is increasing pressure for such targeted measures to hit higher level political actors responsible for the South Sudan crisis rather than only field commanders.

‘Investigate the atrocities’

When asked about the alleged crimes and violation of human rights committed by both sides, Dhieu said he would welcome investigators into areas under their control.

“There is a move from our side also to investigate the atrocities committed in Bentiu town,” he said.

Dhieu said SPLA-IO leader Riek Machar has concluded a fruitful visit to the Sudanese capital Khartoum and returned to Ethiopia for peace talks.

He said they have not yet received any letter from the IGAD mediators about the expected summit on South Sudan crisis.

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