Santino Deng Wol was listed on 1 July 2015 pursuant to paragraphs 7(a), 7(d) and 8 of resolution 2206 (2015) for, “actions or policies that have the purpose or effect of expanding or extending the conflict in South Sudan or obstructing reconciliation or peace talks or processes, including breaches of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement”; “the targeting of civilians, including women and children, through the commission of acts of violence (including killing, maiming, torture, or rape or other sexual violence), abduction, enforced disappearance, forced displacement, or attacks on schools, hospitals, religious sites, or locations where civilians are seeking refuge, or through conduct that would constitute a serious abuse or violation of human rights or a violation of international humanitarian law”; and as a leader “of any entity, including any South Sudanese government, opposition, militia, or other group, that has, or whose members have, engaged in any of the activities described in paragraphs 6 and 7”.
Santino Deng Wol (Deng Wol) is a Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) Major General and commander of the SPLA’s Third Division, a South Sudanese military entity that has engaged in actions that have extended the conflict in South Sudan, including breaches of the January 2014 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) and the May 9, 2014 Agreement to Resolve the Crisis in South Sudan (May Agreement), which was a re-commitment to the CoHA.
Deng Wol led and directed military actions against opposition forces and conducted confrontational troop movements in violation of the CoHA.
Soon after negotiators from both sides agreed to cease hostilities, DENG WOL prepared his forces to advance on the Unity State town of Leer. They subsequently ambushed and shelled rebel fighters near Leer.
In mid-April 2014, Deng Wol’s forces reportedly prepared to recapture Bentiu from anti-government forces. Later that month, Deng Wol’s forces captured Mayom following a fierce battle in which they killed over 300 opposition forces. Then, in early May 2014, Deng Wol’s forces captured Tor Abyad, killing opposition forces in the process. Shortly thereafter, SPLA forces, including Deng Wol’s forces, attacked and recaptured the Unity State town of Wang Kai. Deng Wol authorized his forces to kill anyone carrying weapons or hiding in homes, and ordered them to burn any homes containing opposition supporters.
Deng Wol’s SPLA Third Division participated in the April-May 2015 offensive in Unity State, during which the SPLA launched a coordinated offensive to take opposition strongholds in Mayom, Guit, Koch, Mayendit, and Leer counties. Deng Wol’s forces killed children, women and old men, burned property, and stole livestock as they advanced through Unity State towards Thorjath oil field during May 2015. Additionally, early that month, Deng Wol reportedly pushed for the execution of captured opposition soldiers.