A South Sudanese observer says sanctions are not the way to properly handle the appalling situation of conflict and restore peace in South Sudan.
A new report released by Human Rights Watch accused nine leaders in both of South Sudan’s warring parties of committing rights violations and possibly war crimes.
The rights group recommends placing sanctions on all nine men, including President Kiir, former first vice turned rebel leader President Riek Machar, and former army chief of staff Paul Malong.
“Sanctions against leaders and freezing of assets will not be easy. Most of the leaders in South Sudan do not have clear bank accounts outside the country,” Dr. James Okuk, a renowned political analyst and political science lecturer at the University of Juba said.
Okuk pointed out the call for an arms embargo on South Sudan and targeted sanctions against top leaders in the government and opposition forces need full cooperation with neighbouring countries.
“The travel ban also is not a solution because the leaders will continue committing atrocities inside the country, so they will not go anywhere,” said Okuk.
According to Human Rights Watch, almost two million people have fled South Sudan, while another two million remain internally displaced since the beginning of the civil war in 2013.
The warring parties signed a peace deal in August 2015, but fighting resumed in July 2016.