21 Dec 2017

The Trump administration...announced sanctions against 52 people and entities from around the world over alleged human rights abuses and corruption, including Benjamin Bol Mel of South Sudan...

Benjamin Bol Mel is the President of ABMC Thai-South Sudan Construction Company Limited (ABMC), and has served as the Chairman of the South Sudan Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture.

Bol Mel has also served as President Salva Kiir’s principal financial advisor, has been Kiir’s private secretary, and was perceived within the government as being close to Kiir and the local business community.  Several officials were linked to ABMC in spite of a constitutional prohibition on top government officials transacting commercial business or earning income from outside the government...