Canada sanctions two South Sudanese military officers
November 1, 2014 (JUBA) – Canada has imposed targeted sanctions against two military officers from both sides of the South Sudanese conflict for allegedly engaging in activities that directly or indirectly facilitated, supported, provided funding for or contributed to a violation or attempted violation of the ceasefire deal signed between the South Sudanese government and SPLM in Opposition forces on 23 January.
“The targeting of civilians based on ethnicity is deeply concerning, and the individuals who perpetrate such atrocities should be held to account,” Baird said in a statement.
“These actions, including the attacks by rebel groups in Unity state over the past 48 hours, are in violation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement signed on 23 January 2014,” it adds.
The United States and European Union have also imposed sanctions on both leaders.
Tens of thousands of people have been killed and over 1.5 million displaced since the outbreak of conflict in the country as aid agencies warned of looming famine early next year.
“That is why Canada is announcing targeted sanctions against individuals who have been directly or indirectly facilitating and supporting the ongoing hostilities on both sides of the conflict,” said Baird.
“We are extremely disturbed by UN reports describing gross violations of human rights by both parties to the conflict on a massive scale, including possible war crimes and crimes against humanity,” he added.
Up to 100,000 people are currently live within UN protection of civilian sites with nearly half of them in South Sudan’s Unity state alone, the world body says.
(ST)