![Former Northern Liech state governor Dr. Joseph Nguen Mantuil [Photo by Sudans Post]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/WhatsApp-Image-2020-06-01-at-11.17.26-PM.jpeg?resize=1024%2C512&ssl=1)
WASHINGTON — The United States on Friday imposed sanctions against three South Sudanese government officials, accusing them of human rights violations in Unity State.
The US Treasury targeted Unity State Governor Joseph Nguen Manytuil, Koch County Commissioner Koang Biel, and Mayendit Commissioner Gatluak Nyang for their alleged involvement in “systematic rape and other human rights violations” against women and girls in Leer County between February and April 2022.
According to a Treasury statement, government-aligned forces and allied militias under Biel and Hoth’s command were “responsible for systematic rape, often accompanied by other human rights violations, perpetrated against women and girls during armed attacks in Leer County of Unity State.”
The statement further alleges that “after the attacks, Biel and Hoth did not hold their forces accountable.”
Governor Manytuil is accused of appointing Biel and Hoth as county commissioners despite being aware of the attacks and failing to “prevent, discourage, or institute any form of sanction against Biel and Hoth for their role in the serious crimes committed.”
The sanctions were implemented pursuant to Executive Order 13664, which targets individuals and entities “responsible for or complicit in, or for having engaged in, directly or indirectly, actions or policies that threaten the peace, security, or stability of South Sudan.”
The sanctions will freeze any assets the designated individuals hold in the United States or within the possession or control of US persons. Additionally, US individuals and entities are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.
