A/HRC/40/CRP.1 which should be investigated.105 Contrary to R-ARCSS, Article 2.1.10.3, children associated with the armed conflict also remain in the ranks, particularly within opposition forces. 106 Notwithstanding the challenges set out above, there are a number of positive indicators. Firstly, at the field level, an increasing number of meetings between commanders of the SPLA and the SPLA-IO are being held, showing a growing willingness to communicate with each other, including to discuss practical arrangements regarding the local cantonment process. Such meetings have occurred in Yei, Panyume, Waat and Wau for example.107 A general ‘war weariness’ is being observed amongst the front-line troops, along with a more engaging and inclusive attitude towards the civilian population. 108 This nascent ‘grass-roots’ reorientation augurs well for an ongoing ceasefire. Additionally, it is widely accepted that the deadlines included in the R-ARCSS, across many issues, were overly optimistic, and could have been introduced to communicate urgency and commitment to the stated goals. Hence, the almost universal failure to meet them should not necessarily be perceived as a reneging on the commitments. 3. Targeted Sanctions and Arms Embargo In September and December 2017, the United States announced targeted sanctions against four South Sudanese officials for their roles in threatening the peace, security and stability of South Sudan: Benjamin Bol Mel, President Kiir’s principal financial adviser; Malek Reuben Riak Rengu, then Deputy Chief of General Staff for Logistics of the SPLA; Michael Makuei Lueth, Minister of Information, Communications Technology and Postal Services; and General Paul Malong Awan, then Chief of General Staff of SPLA. 109 The Government dismissed the action as unjustified and unhelpful to the peace process. 110 On 2 February 2018, the European Union (EU) announced its first sanctions list related to the situation in South Sudan. Miroring the United States’ list, Paul Malong Awan, Malek Reuben Riak and Michael Makuei Lueth are now also subject to asset freezes and travel bans by all EU member states.111 On the same day, the United States, announced an arms embargo on all parties to the conflict in South Sudan, citing the continued use of military force by the Government and armed opposition, despite the 21 December 2017 Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities, the continued obstruction of UNMISS from fulfilling its mandate, and the continued violence against civilians and humanitarian workers. 112 On 14 December 2018, the United States imposed sanctions on three individuals and six entities associated with those individuals: Gregory Vasili, a South Sudanese former Governor of Gogrial State who allegedly facilitated the transport of soldiers and armaments, the brokering of military equipment deals and oversaw the intra-clan ethnic violence; Israel Ziv, a retired Israeli Defence Forces Major General who allegedly supplied weapons to the South Sudanese Government and the opposition; and Obac William Olawo, a South Sudanese businessman who was allegedly involved in arms and armament supply to South Sudan. 113 On 13 July 2018, the UN Security Council imposed an arms embargo on South Sudan until 31 May 2019. In doing so, it strongly condemned the ongoing human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law.114 It also extended the targeted 105 Witness 981, ERN 101980-101992. See below “Recruitment and Use of Children in Armed Conflict” section (Section VI(C)(1)). CTSAMVM, Report (No. 2) to RJMEC Plenary, Juba, 12 December 2018 continued to note “evidence of non-compliance”. 107 CTSAMVM, Report (No.1) to RJMEC Plenary, Addis Ababa, 19 November 2018; CTSAMVM, Technical Committee Meeting Minutes No. 7, 16-19 January 2019. 108 Confidential Meeting, Juba, 15 December 2018. 109 United States, Department of State, “Press Release: Treasury Announces Targeted Sanctions on South Sudanese Officials and Companies”, 6 September 2017. 110 Radio Tamazuj, “Government says sanctions show US's ignorance about South Sudan situation”, 8 September 2017. 111 Council of the European Union, “Press Release: South Sudan: EU adds 3 persons involved in serious human rights violations to sanctions list”, 2 February 2018. 112 United States, Department of State, “Press Statement: U.S Arms Restrictions on South Sudan”, 2 February 2018. 113 United States, Department of the Treasury, “Treasury Sanctions Three Individuals for their Roles in the Conflict in South Sudan”, 14 December 2018. The entities listed were: Global N.T.M. Ltd., Global Law Enforcement and Security Ltd., Global IZ Group Ltd., Golden Wings Aviation, Crown Auto Trade, and Africana General Trading Ltd. 114 UN Security Council Resolution 2428 (2018), S/RES/2428 (2018). 106 22