People displaced by conflict in South Sudan hold a demonstration at the
UN Protections of Civilians camp in Juba on October 25, 2017. Attempts
to bring peace in the country have failed with previous agreements being
violated within hours of signing. PHOTO | AFP
The Inter-governmental Authority on Development (Igad) has said
it backs the freezing of bank accounts of the violators of the South
Sudan ceasefire.
The Igad special envoy to South Sudan,
Mr Ismail Wais, said the regional bloc was ready for the action as it
continues to receive reports of ceasefire violations in the war-torn
country.
“Such measures would be in line with and include any violations of the Cessation of Hostilities by any party.
“The
penalties include the enactment of asset freezes, enactment of travel
bans within the region and denial of the supply of arms and ammunition
and any other material that could be used in war,” Mr Wais was quoted
telling the UN Security Council meeting in New York Thursday.
He
confirmed to the council that there have been violations of the
agreement signed between the government and the rebels last December.
The
special envoy said those found guilty after the verification from the
monitoring agency, the Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangement,
Monitoring and Mechanism (CTSAMM), would be held accountable.
South Sudan Information minister Michael Makuei said the
government was not opposed to the move, but questioned the criteria to
be used to determine the offenders.
“Do those people whose bank accounts they want to freeze have them outside South Sudan or inside?” he posed.
South
Sudan Foreign ministry spokesman Makol Mawien echoed similar
sentiments, admitting that there were ceasefire violations in the
country.
“It is true there are ceasefire violations but
we in government are not responsible for that. If there is anyone in
government who has violated the ceasefire, then let Igad freeze his or
her account,” he said.
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