The United
States, on Wednesday imposed sanctions on South Sudanese First Vice President
Taban Gai, the U.S. Treasury Department said in a statement.
This is in
Washington’s latest move to pressure the country’s politicians to form a unity
government.
The Treasury
Department said Gai reportedly arranged and directed the alleged killings of
opposition politician Aggrey Ezibon and human rights lawyer Dong Luak in a move
to solidify his position in the government.
.
Gai, former
governor of an oil-rich region in South Sudan, has long been a powerful
government figure in the country with close ties to President Salva Kiir.
U.S.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a statement calling on the government and
opposition leaders to create distance from those who spoil the peace process.
He said Gai,
on behalf of Kiir, acted to “divide and sow distrust, extend the conflict in
South Sudan, and impede the reconciliation and peace process.”
In December
2019, the U.S. blacklisted two South Sudanese cabinet ministers, days after
slapping sanctions on five lower-level officials.
It added
that they are responsible for the likely murder of the two human rights
activists in 2017.
Treasury
Deputy Secretary, Justin Muzinich, in the statement said “Taban Deng Gai’s attempt to silence the
opposition party is derailing the country’s ability to implement a peace
agreement,”.