ARC responded to US sanctions by saying the grounds for the penalty imposed are still unclear.

The United States of America sanctioned two South Sudanese construction businesses on Thursday due to corruption suspicions.

The firms, Africa Resources Corporation (ARC) and Winners Construction Companies are related to South Sudanese billionaire Benjamin Bol Mel, who has been sanctioned.

In a document obtained by NCMP, ARC Resources Corporation Ltd. said that the grounds for the penalty imposed by the US government are still unclear.

In a message dated December 10, 2021, ARC reminded its valued partner in the ARC family that the firm would continue to operate regularly in order to provide value to the people of South Sudan.

The letter also said that infrastructure is a vital component in South Sudan’s development path, and the company committed not to cease until they finished the duty handed to them by the people and the government of South Sudan.

They also encourage the public and partners to continue their valuable work while the business seeks an explanation for this rare incident.

Reacting to the sanctions, Justyna Gudzowska, Director of Illicit Finance Policy at The Sentry, said: “Today’s designations demonstrate that efforts at sanctions evasion, such as registering new companies to receive non-competitive and lucrative US dollar-denominated government contracts, will not go unnoticed.

Coming on International Anti-Corruption Day, the Department of the Treasury should be commended for highlighting actors that extract unfair gains at the expense of the people of South Sudan.”