Sept 18, 2014(Nyamilepedia) — U.S Department of Treasury adds Maj. Gen. Koang Chuol Ranley, the former Military Governor of Unity State for SPLA/SPLM-IO and Maj. Gen. Santino Deng Wol, the third division commander for SPLA/SPLM-Juba.
“CHUOL, James Koang (a.k.a. CHOL, James Koang; a.k.a. CHUAL, James Koang; a.k.a. RANLEY, James KoangChol; a.k.a. RANLEY, KoangChuol); DOB 1961; Passport R00012098 (South Sudan); Major General (individual) [SOUTH SUDAN].” Reads the statement
“WOL, Santino Deng (a.k.a. KUOL, Santino Deng; a.k.a. WUOL, Santino Deng); DOB 09 Nov 1962; Major General; Sudan People’s Liberation Army Third Division Commander (individual) [SOUTH SUDAN].” The statement concludes.
The third division commander, Santino Deng Wol, was sanctioned in July by the European Union for violating cessation of hostile by attacking the Unity state capital, Bentiu, in May for SPLA loyal forces.
Maj. Gen. Koang Chuol, the overall commander of Division 4, defected the government in December and declared loyalty to the country’s former vice president, Dr. Riek Machar Teny.
U.S. has sanctioned Maj. Gen. Peter Gatdet Yak and presidential guard commander , Marial Chanuong, in the past. Gatdet has also been sanctioned by the European Union.
The sanctions, which have very little effects on the army generals, are expected to curl behaviors of the warring parties; however, war has dragged on in most parts of Greater Upper Nile.
The sanctions imposed as peace talks resume in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, would serve as a red flag to IGAD to impose its own sanctions or “punitive actions” on the South Sudanese warring parties.
The IGAD countries, however, are still reconsidering taking any such measures as they may impact the whole region.
Sanctioning either the country or individuals would negatively affect the IGAD member states.
South Sudan became a booming industry, dominated by the IGAD countries, for the last few years.
Banking, hotels and most of the private sectors, owned by foreigners from IGAD member states have reported high profit margin amid a deadly conflict that has displaced more than 1.3 millions South Sudanese.
Many South Sudanese, including the army Generals bank, rent, shop and educate their families in Eastern Africa. Some generals and politicians own luxuries homes in various parts of Nairobi, Kampala and Addis Ababa.
The regional sanctions are expected to be more effective than the U.S, E.U and U.N sanctions combined; however, such acts would negatively affect the economies of the IGAD members’ states.
As witnessed in the recent reaction to expelling foreigners from South Sudan, any poorly imposed measures would cause similar frustration in the region.
On the other hand, IGAD mediators, supported by the TROIKA (U.S. U.K, and Norway), are reconsidering “punitive actions”, however, the Ethiopian Prime Minister has warned of a possible regional war earlier this year.
IGAD countries are divided over South Sudan for economic and political reasons. While some countries allegedly support rebels, others are fighting alongside Salva Kiir loyal forces.
In other reports the British Minister for Africa James Doddridge urged that, “The region should now take steps to apply sanctions against those who do not abide by their commitments. The UN Security Council should also take action soon.”
