The European Union announced today that it would seize funds and assets belonging to SPLA 3rd Infantry Division Commander Santino Deng Wol, and also that it has banned him from traveling to EU countries.

Yesterday the EU announced it would be naming several South Sudanese leaders to a sanctions list, without disclosing any names until today, when two names were added to the EU Official Journal.

The European Union explained that the SPLA commander took part in the capture of Bentiu in May 2014 and therefore is responsible for violating the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement of 23 January. 

SPLM/A-IO Gen. Peter Gadet is the other name added to the list. He was already named by the United States government to its own sanctions list in May.

He is accused of fueling a cycle of violence, thus impeding the political process for a resolution of the conflict, according to the EU.

Under the EU sanctions, any assets belonging to the two men within the European Union will be frozen. Banks that allow transactions or transfers of funds belonging to the two men will be penalized. 

File photo: Santino Deng Wol (left) with Paul Malong Awan (right) (Gurtong)