US weighs targeted sanctions against South Sudan - sources

The United States is weighing targeted sanctions against South Sudan due to its leaders' failure to take steps to end a crisis that has brought the world's youngest nation to the brink of civil war, sources briefed on US discussions told Reuters Friday.         

"It's a tool that has been discussed," a source told Reuters on condition of anonymity about the possibility of U.S. sanctions against those blocking peace efforts or fueling violence in South Sudan. Another source confirmed the remarks, though both declined to provide details on the precise measures under consideration.

No decisions have been made yet, the sources added. Targeted sanctions focus on specific individuals, entities or sectors of country.            

The US government was unlikely to consider steps intended to economically harm impoverished South Sudan but would likely focus on any measures on those individuals or groups it sees as blocking efforts at brokering peace or committing atrocities.       

Meanwhile, South Sudan's army regained the rebel-held town of Bentiu, handing the government control of Unity state's oilfields where production had been halted, the military's spokesman said.                

"It happened this afternoon at 2.30 p.m.," army spokesman Philip Aguer told Reuters. "When you control Bentiu you control all the oil fields in Unity state."


REUTERS