The United Kingdom has announced sanctions against two county commissioners in South Sudan’s Unity State for alleged involvement in the perpetration of sexual violence.
The commissioners slapped with sanctions by the UK are Koch County commissioner Gordon Koang Biel and Commissioner of Mayendit County Gatluak Nyang Hoth.
The imposed sanctions include an asset freeze and a travel ban.
“Biel and Gatlua have been sanctioned for commanding government-aligned militias to carry out attacks in southern Unity State between February and May 2022, mobilising them to rape, abduct and kill civilians, loot civilian and humanitarian properties, cause forceful displacement of civilians, and use civilians as forced labour,” UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said in a statement on Friday.
The two local officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
Early this year, leaders of Mayendit and Koch counties were accused of orchestrating violence against Leer county.
The United Kingdom also announced sanctions against 30 people worldwide, including the two South Sudanese officials.
The British government said its sanctions were coordinated with international partners to mark International Anti-Corruption Day and Global Human Rights Day.
“We are committed to using every lever at our disposal to secure a future of freedom over fear,” Cleverly said.