Governor Alfred Futuyo Karaba (right) and Major General James Nando sanctioned by the U.S. government. | File photo

The United States government on Tuesday sanctioned the Governor of Western Equatoria State and a South Sudan People’s Defense Force general in connection with atrocities committed during the South Sudan conflict as well as the violence in Tombura County.

Governor Alfred Futuyo Karaba, a senior politician affiliated with the opposition SPLM-IO has entered the bad book of Washington after his forces were accused of carrying out attacks in his state leading to mass abduction and sex crimes.

“Between April and August 2018, forces under Futuyo’s command carried out numerous attacks in Western Equatoria that resulted in the abduction of 887 civilians, of which at least 43 were raped or gang-raped,” reads part of the press release from the U.S. Department of Treasury.

The U.S said Governor Futuyo was responsible for, or has engaged directly or indirectly “in the targeting of women, children, or any civilians through the commission of acts of violence.”

Meanwhile, Major General James Nando of the SSPDF, who is also under United Kingdom sanctions, has again been blacklisted.

The statement said “between June and September 2021, forces loyal to Nando fighting in Western Equatoria were responsible for at least 64 instances of rape and sexual slavery against civilians.”

Mr. Nando is also accused directly or through his commanders or fighters, of overseeing the abduction of at least 505 women and girls between April and August 2018.

It is also said the United Nations Mission in South Sudan documented 43 cases of rape and gang-rape that occurred during these attacks.

“Nando was aware of these abuses and did not prevent, discourage, or punish fighters responsible for sexual violence when it happened under his watch, thereby encouraging fighters to continue these abuses,” the U.S. said.

Both officials have been categorized in the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List.

This means they are barred from accessing any property in U.S. or traveling to U.S. as well as trading American dollars.

“The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior,” adds the statement.

Governor Futuyo and General Nando are yet to comment on the matter.

They have been sanctioned a day after the commemoration of International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.

The U.S. had warned on Monday it will take real action to prevent and respond to Conflict-Related Sexual Violence and forms of gender-based violence across the world.