South Sudanese Government Downplays UN Sanctions as "Unwise"

Strategic Insights -

The South Sudanese government has downplayed UN sanctions imposed on its top military generals, saying they will not affect the performance of the South Sudanese army (SPLA) in continuing the war against opposition forces in the country. The sanctions, imposed on six military generals, including three from both sides of President Salva Kiir's government and the armed opposition faction led by former Vice President Riek Machar, include a travel ban and assets freeze. The government maintains that its actions are in defense of the country's transitional constitution, while the armed opposition faction claims to be in self-defense.

Key Takeaways:

  • The South Sudanese government downplayed UN sanctions imposed on its top military generals, labeling them "unwise."
  • The sanctions targeted six military generals, including three from the government and three from the armed opposition faction led by Riek Machar.
  • The government maintained that its actions are in defense of the country's transitional constitution, while the armed opposition faction claims to be in self-defense.
  • The rebel faction accused the government of ethnic cleansing and said they are the victims in the war, exercising self-defense.
  • The sanctions included a travel ban and assets freeze on the targeted generals.
  • Major-Gen. Marial Chanuong Yol Mangok, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Jok Riak, and Major-Gen. Santino Deng Wol from the government side, and Major-General Simon Gatwech Dual, Major-General James Koang Chuol, and General Peter Gadet from the opposition side, were targeted by the sanctions.
  • The government's cabinet affairs minister, Martin Elia Lomoru, said the sanctions will not affect the ongoing fighting by the army.
  • The SPLA's 3rd division commander, Major General Santino Deng Wol, said he would continue to discharge his duties without hesitation despite being sanctioned by the UN.

Statistics:

  • Tens of thousands of people have been killed and nearly two million displaced in the country's worst ever outbreak of violence since its independence in July 2011.
  • The conflict has been ongoing since December 2013, when internal disputes within the ruling party (SPLM) sparked off an ethnic-like conflict.
  • The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) said peace talks aimed to bring the war to an end through a negotiated settlement will resume in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, by mid-July.

Sources:

  • SudanTribune, "South Sudan, the world's youngest nation, has been in turmoil since December 2013"
  • SudanTribune, "The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) says the talks will resume in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, by mid-July"
  • SudanTribune, "Major-Gen. Marial Chanuong Yol Mangok, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Jok Riak, and Major-Gen. Santino Deng Wol from the government side, and Major-General Simon Gatwech Dual, Major-General James Koang Chuol, and General Peter Gadet from the opposition side, were targeted by the sanctions."