Breaking: US sanctions First Vic President Taban Deng, freezes his financial assets
First Vic-president Taban Deng Gai meets Salva Kiir at the State House in Juba (Photo: Supplied)
January 8th, 2020 (SSNN)—The United States Government has imposed financial sanctions on South Sudan’s First Vice President Taban Deng Gai, accusing him of masterminding the murder of two opposition members who were kidnapped in Kenya by the South Sudan Internal Security Bureau and killed in South Sudan.
The Treasury Department has identified Taban as an individual responsible for creating a state of mistrust between the government and opposition groups, reigniting the conflict and leading to the collapse of the 2015 peace agreement.
“Deng, reportedly arranged and directed the disappearance and deaths of human rights lawyer Samuel Dong Luak (Dong) and SPLM-IO member Aggrey Idry (Aggrey)… in order to solidify his position within President Kiir’s government and to intimidate members of the SPLM-IO,” Treasury said.
“Taban Deng Gai’s attempt to silence the opposition party is derailing the country’s ability to implement a peace agreement,” Deputy Treasury Secretary Justin Muzinich said in a statement.
“The United States calls on all nations to exclude from the international financial system those who jeopardize South Sudan’s future.”
The recent sanctions imposed on Taban, freeze all his financial assets held by American banks and prevent him from entering the United States or its partner countries.
In December last year, the United States imposed sanctions on five suspects, accused of masterminding the killing the two opposition officials, Dong Luak and Agrey Izbon Idri.
Recently, the U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo reiterated that the US government stands with the people of South Sudan and will implement visa restrictions, banning South Sudan leaders identified to have obstructed the implementation of the peace agreement, from entering the United States.
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