The European Union has imposed sanctions on a South Sudanese army general allegedly involved in serious human rights violations, such as arbitrary executions and killings, the Sudan Tribune reports.

Citing EU statement issued on Monday the agency reported that Maj-Gen Gabriel Moses Lokujo of South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) was sanctioned for authorising the abduction and execution of three armed opposition (SPLA-IO) officers in May last year.

SPLA-IO stands for Sudan People’s Liberation Army In Opposition.

“As a consequence, several deaths and injuries were reported on both sides during the last quarter of 2020, and civilians were also displaced, especially in the Kajo-Keji area of Central Equatoria State.

Maj-Gen Lokujo’s forces remained in the area where several further clashes were reported and the safety and security of the civilian communities continue to be in jeopardy,” partly read the statement.

The sanctions involve freezing assets in the EU and a ban on travels within the EU nations.

The EU imposed further sanctions over human rights violations and repressions in North Korea, Libya, Russia and China.

Reacting to the latest EU sanction, John Prendergast, Co-Founder of The Sentry, said it was a case of the EU using the right tool on the wrong target.

“For sanctions to be effective, they need to target the senior-most commanders and their companies to have the kind of impact on the calculations of the South Sudanese leadership that is being sought,” said Prendergast.

“This sanctioning of a minor target is not going to have an impact, unfortunately,” he added.

Lokujo was not immediately available to comment on the EU’s sanctions.

In February 2018, the EU imposed similar sanctions on former military chief Gen Paul Malong Awan, former deputy chief of staff, Malek Reuben Riak and Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth for their alleged role in serious human rights violations and obstructions of the political process.

• A Tell/Sudan Tribune report