October 30, 2014 - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement:
“Canada strongly condemns the ongoing violence in South Sudan and is deeply concerned by its impact on the civilian population and on neighbouring countries.
“We are extremely disturbed by UN reports describing gross violations of human rights by both parties to the conflict on a massive scale, including possible war crimes and crimes against humanity.
“These actions, including the attacks by rebel groups in Unity state over the past 48 hours, are in violation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement signed on January 23, 2014.
“The targeting of civilians based on ethnicity is deeply concerning, and the individuals who perpetrate such atrocities should be held to account. That is why Canada is announcing targeted sanctions against individuals who have been directly or indirectly facilitating and supporting the ongoing hostilities on both sides of the conflict.”
A backgrounder follows.
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On December 15, 2013, after a period of relative stability, fighting erupted between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, and those loyal to former vice president Riek Machar, an ethnic Nuer. What began as a political struggle has led to fighting along ethnic lines involving significant human rights abuses. More than 1.4 million people have been internally displaced within South Sudan, and over 400,000 people have sought refuge in neighbouring countries.
Canada has expressed deep concern over the targeting of civilians based on ethnicity. Following the capture of Bentiu, in Unity state, on April 15, 2014, opposition forces killed hundreds of civilians based on their ethnicity, targeting primarily Dinka civilians but also Darfuris from Sudan. In retribution, 48 Nuer civilians were killed during an attack by armed youth on a United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) base on April 17. The UN Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide warned that these events could be a prelude to genocide and other atrocities. The UN released a report on May 8, 2014, describing gross violations of human rights on a massive scale by both parties to the conflict, including possible war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Canada is imposing targeted sanctions against persons engaged in activities that directly or indirectly facilitate, support, provide funding for or contribute to a violation or attempted violation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement between the Government of the Republic of South Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (in Opposition), signed on January 23, 2014. On October 30, 2014, Canada announced targeted sanctions against:
- Peter Gadet, Commander within the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (in Opposition); and
- Marial Chanuong, Commander, South Sudanese government’s Presidential Guard
