FILE - In this Tuesday, June 6, 2017 file photo, South Sudanese refugees queue to receive a lunch of maize mash and beans, at the Imvepi reception centre, where newly arrived refugees are processed before being allocated plots of land in nearby Bidi Bidi refugee settlement, in northern Uganda. The Trump administration on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017 imposed sanctions on two senior members of South Sudan's government, a former official, and three South Sudanese companies for undermining peace, security and stability in the crisis-stricken nation. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)
Republished September 07, 2017 - 5:31 AM
Original Publication Date September 07, 2017 - 2:26 AM
JOHANNESBURG - South Sudan says it is asking the United States to reconsider the sanctions it has imposed on two senior government members, a former official and three companies.
Foreign ministry spokesman Mawien Makol calls the sanctions announced Wednesday "very unfortunate."
The U.S. imposed sanctions on deputy defence chief Malek Reuben, Information Minister Michael Makuei and former military chief of staff Paul Malong.
They are accused of undermining peace, security and stability in the East African nation where civil war has raged for four years.
The sanctions freeze assets they may have in U.S. jurisdictions, ban them from travel to the U.S. and bar Americans from doing business with them. Three firms owned by Reuben — All Energy Investments, A+ Engineering, Electronics & Media Printing and Mak International Services —also are targeted.
News from © The Associated Press, 2017