July 11, 2014(Nyamilepedia) — The European Union imposed new sanctions on the South Sudanese warlords, who are believed to impede peaceful resolutions on both sides of the conflict, as China continues to double deal the world’s poorest yet most fragile state.
EU yesterday announced that they have sanctioned individuals, who are fueling the 7-months old conflict.
In American footsteps, the union has today revealed two generals, believed to be at a loggerhead despite the two ceasefire agreements, signed on January 23rd and May 9th by the warring factions in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
On Salva Kiir’s side, EU will freeze assets belonging to division three commander, Maj.Gen. Santino Deng Wol, who led his heavily armed battalions to seize the oil rich Bentiu before the ink of his commander in chief, Salva Kiir Mayardit, dries on a ceasefire agreement paper, signed at the strict watch of TROIKA, IGAD and international community, on May 9th, in Addis Ababa.
On Machar’s side, the union has yet again slammed sanctions on Maj. Gen. Peter Gatdet Yaka. Gen. Gatdet, was previously targeted by the US, freezing any possible assets in the US, and also travel banned him from stepping his foot on the American soil. Gatdet hardly travels beyond the South Sudanese borders.
Gatdet who spoke on BBC in May, after repulsing the heavily armed government forces from Bentiu town, despise the sanctions, arguing that he wants to see a genuine ceasefire agreement document.
Rebels Reactions to Sanctions
The chairman of SPLM in Opposition, who seems not troubled by the sanctions, urge the international community and the region to add more sanctions. SPLM in opposition, under the leadership of Dr. Riek Machar, argues that more sanctions would speed up honest, IGAD mediated, peace talks in the near future.
“The SPLM/SPLA encourages the international community to impose more targeted sanctions that can have a greater effect in compelling the parties to negotiate in good faith. The sanctions imposed so far have only targeted individuals that are of little consequence in the decision making and financing of the conflict.” the statement reads
Machar strongly urges the region to follow suit and impose their own sanctions on individuals and assets. He urges Sudan to sanction the South by shutting down the oi, used to purchase arms, and expects Kenya to restrict supply of goods to South Sudan. Machar believes that doing so would be more effective than the sanctions imposed by the US and EU.
“If sanctions are to be imposed; a sanction imposed by the region would be more effective than the Americans,” Machar said.
“If Khartoum would take the courage and say the oil from South Sudan is not going to flow through its pipelines, this would be very effective indeed,” he reiterated.
“If Kenya says imports and exports of South Sudan will not pass through Mombasa next week, we will have peace,” Machar continues.
Machar, however, argues that Maj. Gen. Peter Gatdet who has been sanctioned by the US and EU, was acting in self-defense and could be found innocent in a court of law.
“I was surprised that the sanctions were targeting individuals. Peter Gatdet was pushed to resist and he may not be the one who started the war and he could be found innocent in court,” Machar said.
The SPLM-IO confirms their commitment to the IGAD mediated peace talks and urge the bloc to allow all stakeholders to participate in the mediation. The armed opposition, however, is mindful that the IGAD has to be transparent and fair in selecting the civil society, ought to represent the civil populations in the country.
“The SPLM/SPLA would like to reaffirm to the people of South Sudan, the region and the world that we are fully committed to a negotiated settlement as the only solution to the current conflict and to peace.” the statement concludes.
In the past, other SPLM leaders such as Rebecca Nyandeng, the widow of late Dr. John Garang, and the former political detainees such as SG Pagan Amum welcomed the US sanctions. The government, loosely backed by Russia, opposed the decision, on the ground that it would impede peaceful political settlements.
Related Stories:
- EU imposes sanctions on South Sudanese military leaders
- IGAD to consult UN Security Council on possible sanctions
- Despite Sanctions Gatdet Can’t Accept Ceasefire Without Legitimate Documents
- South Sudan Rebels to Seek Peace, Respond to US Sanctions
- Background Briefing on South Sudan Sanctions
- UN Security Council split over South Sudan sanctions
- U.N. Security Council members considering South Sudan sanctions
- Kerry to Promote Peace, Sanctions in South Sudan
