Washington — The US slapped sanctions on three current and former South Sudanese officials in President Salva Kiir’s government for their alleged roles in destabilising the African nation and "enriching" themselves through corruption. The US blacklisted South Sudan’s army deputy chief of staff, Malek Reuben Riak, and information minister, Michael Makuei Lueth, according to a US treasury statement on Wednesday. The measures were also imposed on former head of the army, Paul Malong, who was dismissed by Kiir in May. Three South Sudan-based companies owned or controlled by Riak were also sanctioned. South Sudan erupted into civil war in 2013, just two years after declaring its independence from the north. The ongoing conflict has left tens of thousands of people dead and created a humanitarian crisis as more than 3.5-million people fled their homes. "These actions send a clear message to those enriching themselves at the expense of the South Sudanese people, that we will not let them e...
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