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Washington, DC – Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX), Lead Republican of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement on the Treasury Department’s decision to sanction the First Vice President of South Sudan, Taban Deng Gai (Deng) for egregious human rights abuses.

“I commend the Administration for continuing to target human rights abusers and spoilers of the peace process in South Sudan like First Vice President Taban Deng Gai (Deng). The South Sudanese people have experienced unimaginable violence and suffering for over a decade, and many have suffered at the hands of people like Deng.

“The Government of South Sudan and opposition groups continue to demonstrate their inability and unwillingness to implement the 2018 peace agreement and put an end to years of civil war. They have repeatedly prioritized power, personal gain, and resources with utter disregard for the needs of their people. With yet another deadline for implementation looming, the U.S. must increase our diplomatic efforts in South Sudan, our partners in the region, and with like-minded governments to pressure the parties to finally implement the peace agreement.”

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