On March 22, 2018, the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) issued a final rule (the “Final Rule”) adding, in relevant part, 15 South Sudanese entities to the Export Administration Regulations’ (“EAR”) Entity List — a step that increases the pressure on that country following the US Government’s imposition of an arms embargo last month. All 15 entities are subject to a license requirement for all exports, reexports, or in-country transfers of items subject to the EAR, and new license applications for these entities are subject to a presumption of denial.

The entities are as follows:

  • Ascom Sudd Operating Company;
  • Dar Petroleum Operating Company;
  • DietsmannNile;
  • Greater Pioneer Operating Co. Ltd;
  • Juba Petrotech Technical Services Ltd;
  • Nile Delta Petroleum Company;
  • Nile Drilling and Services Company;
  • Nile Petroleum Corporation;
  • Nyakek and Sons;
  • Oranto Petroleum;
  • Safinat Group;
  • SIPET Engineering and Consultancy Services;
  • South Sudan Ministry of Mining;
  • South Sudan Ministry of Petroleum; and
  • Sudd Petroleum Operating Co.

These entities are government, parastatal, and private companies involved in oil-related activities that have contributed to the ongoing crisis in South Sudan. According to statements issued by BIS and the US Department of State, the 15 designated entities are a source of substantial revenue for the Government of South Sudan that it uses to purchase weapons and fund militias undermining the peace, security, and stability of South Sudan. The designations are intended to ensure that items subject to the EAR are not used to generate revenue for the Government of South Sudan and thus indirectly finance the continuing violence in that country.

These designations follow the February 2018 amendments to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) to impose an arms embargo against South Sudan. The ITAR amendments updated the US Government’s defense trade policy toward South Sudan by applying a policy of denial to all exports and reexports of defense articles or services to South Sudan. A case-by-case review policy applies in limited circumstances, including where the defense articles are (a) for peacekeeping operations, (b) intended for use by the African Regional Task Force or United Nations, (c) intended for use by non-governmental organizations in furtherance of certain conventional weapons destruction activities, (d) non-lethal defense articles for humanitarian use, (e) personal protective equipment, or (f) provided in support of certain South Sudanese peace agreements.

Author

Ms. Test advices clients on issues relating to licensing, regulatory interpretations, enforcement actions, internal investigations and compliance audits, as well as the design, implementation and administration of compliance programs. She also advises clients on the extra-territorial application of trade compliance-related regulations in cross-border transactions.

Author

Joseph Schoorl is an associate in the Washington, DC office. Prior to joining the Firm, he worked as a clerk in the spring of 2012 and as a summer associate in 2011 at Baker McKenzie. In addition, he interned with the Department of Commerce’s Office of Chief Counsel for Industry and Security. He advises US and non-US companies on licensing, enforcement actions, internal investigations and compliance audits, mergers and acquisitions and other cross-border transactions, and on the design, implementation, and administration of compliance programs. Mr. Schoorl's practice focuses on international trade. He advises clients on compliance with US export controls, trade and economic sanctions, and anti-boycott controls.

Author

Inessa Owens is an associate in the Washington, D.C. office and member of the Firm’s International Trade practice group. She focuses on outbound trade compliance issues, including compliance with the Export Administration Regulations, anti-boycott rules, and economic sanctions administered by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, including those targeting Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and Russia. She has worked with clients in diverse industries that include finance, pharmaceuticals, and energy.