Japheth Ogila
Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The United States revised sanctions regulations meant to prevent individuals from funding criminal activities in South Sudan.
An article published on the EU Sanctions website yesterday, titled “US reissues South Sudan sanctions regulations,” revealed that the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took the step to simplify the regulations.
It noted that OFAC aimed at “making them (regulations) more comprehensive and including additional interpretive guidance, definitions, general licences, and other regulatory provisions.”
It further stated: “The new rule, amongst other things, adds a new general licence, authorising US financial institutions to invest and reinvest blocked assets in accounts held in the same name at the same US financial institution, or within the possession or control of a US person, but funds shall not be transferred outside the US for this purpose.”
“It also removes the requirement that the receipt of payment for emergency medical services be specifically licenced.
The sanction regulations came into place after former US President Barack Obama signed Executive Order 13664 in April 2014 that sought to prevent individuals, whether South Sudanese or foreigners in the US, from funding or engaging in criminal activities that destabilise South Sudan, such as funding conflicts.
The order was in tandem with the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (NEA), and Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
The Washington administration has had a run-in with some senior South Sudanese officials in government, who were sanctioned over suspicions stifling the implementation of the peace agreement.
South Sudan signed the revitalised peace agreement in 2018 after President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar buried the hatchet and resolved to work together to champion the country’s transition into a democratic and elective phase. The country is expected to hold a general election in December 2024.
Source: The City Review South Sudan
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