US government measures concerning South Sudan: a dated record

Record of measures, newest first

The 12 May 2026 State Department release

The State Department published the release on 12 May 2026 under the title "Announcement of Targeted Visa Restrictions for Individuals Involved in Undermining Peace in South Sudan" ¹. Spokesperson Thomas Pigott issued it ¹.

The release gives its legal basis in these words: "Today, pursuant to authority under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, Secretary Rubio is taking steps to impose visa restrictions on members of South Sudan's transitional government." ¹

The release names Crawford Capital in this sentence: "Numerous well-respected investigative bodies have documented how corrupt officials and entities, including Crawford Capital, Ltd., have siphoned money from South Sudan's treasury and stolen foreign assistance funds intended to support the South Sudanese people." ¹

It does not name the individuals subject to the visa restrictions ¹.

OFAC program and earlier designations

Executive Order 13664 of 3 April 2014 found that the situation in South Sudan poses "an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States" and declared a national emergency ². OFAC issued the South Sudan Sanctions Regulations on 1 July 2014 and reissued them in full with effect from 18 May 2023 ².

Under 31 CFR part 558, property of a designated person that is in the United States or held by a US person is blocked and may not be transferred, paid or otherwise dealt in ².

On 6 September 2017 Treasury designated Malek Reuben Riak Rengu, Michael Makuei Lueth and Paul Malong Awan under EO 13664 ⁴. It designated three companies linked to one of them ⁴.

On 8 January 2020 Treasury designated First Vice President Taban Deng Gai under EO 13818, the Global Magnitsky order, for serious human rights abuse ⁵. Treasury said this followed designations of five other South Sudanese individuals on 10 December 2019 ⁵.

Checking Crawford Capital on OFAC's list

This page checked OFAC's Sanctions List Search on 20 October 2026 ⁶. A search for "Crawford Capital" at the default minimum name score of 100 returned 0 results ⁶. A search for "Crawford" at a minimum score of 80 returned two entries, both personal names, and no entry for Crawford Capital ⁶. The tool showed the SDN List as last updated on 15 October 2026 ⁶.

Readers can repeat the check. Open the Sanctions List Search, enter the name, lower the minimum name score to widen the match, and read the program code on each result ⁶.

How outlets described the 12 May action

• Radio Tamazuj reported on 14 May 2026 that the United States had sanctioned Crawford Capital Ltd ⁸.
• Eye Radio reported on 13 May 2026 under the headline "South Sudan ICT ministry backs Crawford Capital following U.S. measures" and referred in its lead to a US sanction on the company ⁹.
• Eye Radio reported on 14 May 2026 under the headline "Revenue Authority defends engagement with Crawford Capital after US sanctions" ¹⁰.

UN findings and South Sudan's response

The Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan published A/HRC/60/CRP.5 on 16 September 2025 ⁷. In paragraph 23(e) it wrote that "A politically-connected company, Crawford Capital Ltd., captures an inordinate share of non-oil revenues" through what it called irregular government e-services ⁷. It said that under a 2019 agreement Crawford retains a 75 per cent profit share of taxes it collects, and that the arrangement was extended in 2024 to what it called an unlawful levy on tax-exempt humanitarian agencies that forced the suspension of food aid ⁷.

On 14 May 2026 South Sudan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it "received with grave concern" the 12 May statement, as reported by Radio Tamazuj ⁸. The ministry called corruption allegations involving humanitarian funds "recycled and unsubstantiated claims" ⁸. It said the visa restrictions would hurt ordinary citizens, described army operations in northern Jonglei as "self-defence" and called the rights allegations "unfounded" ⁸. Radio Tamazuj said the excerpted statement did not mention the company ⁸.

On 13 May 2026 the Ministry of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services said it "affirms its official engagement with Crawford Capital Ltd.", as reported by Eye Radio ⁹. On 14 May 2026 the South Sudan Revenue Authority said its engagements with the company were conducted "lawfully, transparently, and within government-approved reforms", as reported by Eye Radio ¹⁰.