The U.S. government says it is ready to expand sanctions against political and military leaders in South Sudan unless the warring parties end the violence quickly.

The U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan, Ambassador Donald Booth, yesterday said his government is frustrated with slow progress in South Sudan’s peace process.

He said recent measures, including sanctions last week against two military officers on opposite sides of the violence, were intended to signal that the United States would not hesitate to act against those obstructing peace.

Ambassador Booth said in an interview with Reuters News Agency that his government is intending to continue utilizing the Executive Order signed by President Barack Obama in order to give the warring parties that the U.S. is serious, and that there are consequences if they fail to end the war.

The U.S Envoy said the regional African countries are also ready to impose punitive measures against South Sudan if peace talks continue to drag on.