Businessman Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel. (Photo: Courtesy).

President Salva Kiir has appointed Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel as the Senior Presidential Special Envoy on special programs.

Kiir made the appointment through a presidential decree read out at State TV SSBC on Friday evening.

The decree did not specify the tasks and duties of the Special Envoy.

Benjamin Bol was sanctioned by the U.S. government on December 2017, over alleged corruption liked to his business firms.

His corporate companies – Thai South Sudan Crusher, Aggregates, and Building Materials Company (ABMC) were designated by the United States for their involvement in corruption in South Sudan.

Also, in December 2021, the US Treasury Department sanctioned two companies ARC Resource Corporation Ltd and Winners Construction Company Ltd owned by Dr. Bol Mel.

But the ARC Resource Corporation has denied the accusations, and asked the US government to explain in detail how it got involved in the embezzlement of public resources.

The ARC says it will continue operating, despite the US sanctions.

It is currently building urban roads within Juba city and Juba-Bor Highway among other projects in the country.