Two ministers have delayed form a government in south Sudan, believes the UNITED states, which punishes them with sanctions.
the UNITED states has imposed sanctions against two ministers in the south Sudan. It informs the u.s. treasury department on Monday.
south Sudan’s defence minister, Kuol Manyang Juuk, and kabinetsminister Martin Elia Lomuro accused by the UNITED states to have prolonged the conflict in the african country for their own benefit.
The two have also delayed the formation of a unity government, believes the authorities in Washington.
– south sudanese deserve leaders who will make an effort to lay the foundation for a successful, peaceful political transition, says Justin Muzinich, american deputy minister of finance.
The two ministers funds in the UNITED states are frozen and they can not travel into the UNITED states.
the Purpose of sanctions is to put pressure on the parties in south Sudan to stop the violence and work for stability.
The u.s. treasury accuses Lomuro to have recruited and organized local militias to attack opposition forces in south Sudan.
Juuk must have emboldened to violence and failed to pull back forces from the battlefield, as it is required in a peace deal from september 2018.
Secretary Mike Pompeo says that the UNITED states is ready with additional measures “against anyone who attempts to expand the conflict and derail the peace efforts in south Sudan”.
He adds that the sanctions can be lifted again, if the ministers “exhibit measurable support” to the peace in the country.
According to last year’s peace agreement were the south Sudan president, Salva Kiir, and his political rival and former vice president Riek Machar have formed a unity government within 12. november.
/ritzau/dpa
