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South Sudan: EU sanctions Peter Gadet, Santino Deng South Sudan: EU sanctions Peter Gadet, Santino Deng
(35 minutes later)
The European Union has imposed sanctions on two South Sudanese military leaders accused of obstructing the country's peace process.The European Union has imposed sanctions on two South Sudanese military leaders accused of obstructing the country's peace process.
It accused rebel leader Peter Gadet and army commander Santino Deng of links to atrocities over the past six months.It accused rebel leader Peter Gadet and army commander Santino Deng of links to atrocities over the past six months.
Both men are subject to a travel ban and asset freeze.Both men are subject to a travel ban and asset freeze.
Thousands of people have died in the fighting that erupted between different factions of South Sudan's governing party.Thousands of people have died in the fighting that erupted between different factions of South Sudan's governing party.
More than a million people have fled their homes since a political dispute between President Salva Kiir and his former deputy, Riek Machar, escalated into ethnic violence.More than a million people have fled their homes since a political dispute between President Salva Kiir and his former deputy, Riek Machar, escalated into ethnic violence.
'Unacceptable''Unacceptable'
"Millions more face the risk of famine," the Council of the European Union said about the crisis in South Sudan. "Appalling human rights violations and crimes against humanity have taken place." Gen Gadet defected from the South Sudanese army and joined Mr Machar's rebels shortly after fighting broke out in December 2013.
Both sides had failed to make any progress in regionally mediated peace talks, it said. Both men are ethnic Nuers.
"Commanders and political leaders continue to obstruct the peace process," an EU statement said. "Perpetrators of gross human rights violations are enjoying impunity." He is accused of leading the attack on the oil hub of Bentiu in April, in which some 200 civilians were killed, despite a ceasefire agreement.
It was "unacceptable" that ceasefires signed in January and May continued to be breached, the EU said. "Peter Gadet is thus responsible for fuelling the cycle of violence, thus obstructing the political process in South Sudan, and for serious human rights violations," the EU said in its official journal.
The US has already imposed sanctions on him.
During the capture of Bentiu, non-Nuers were singled out and killed, according to the UN.
Mr Machar has previously denied that his forces were responsible for the slaughter.
Mr Deng led the recapture of Bentiu, and so also broke the ceasefire, according to the EU.
The sanctions were announced on Thursday but did not take effect until Friday, when the names of the two were released.
The EU said the rapid resumption of talks leading to a formation of a transitional unity government was the only way for South Sudan - which marked its third anniversary of independence this week - to be spared "further violence and famine".The EU said the rapid resumption of talks leading to a formation of a transitional unity government was the only way for South Sudan - which marked its third anniversary of independence this week - to be spared "further violence and famine".
Some four million people face the risk of starvation in South Sudan because of the conflict, according to aid agencies.