US sanctions South Sudan officials over conflict-related rape

US President Joe Biden

US President Joe Biden. PHOTO | AFP

The United States on Tuesday sanctioned two South Sudanese officials in relation to "conflict-related sexual violence", alongside two leaders of the Islamic State (IS) group.

The Treasury Department said that the moves were the first results of a dedicated US government focus on conflict-related sexual violence, following a memorandum on the issue signed by President Joe Biden last November.