Among those sanctioned were energy officials and members of the junta.

“Washington will impose sanctions on the United Election Commission, mining companies, energy officials, and current and former military officers,” according to a U.S. Treasury statement. MalayMail.

“It’s the first time the United States of America targeting Myanmar Oil and Gas Company (MOGE) officials under the current Myanmar sanctions program,” the finance ministry spokesperson said.

Canada, Australia and the UK also announced sanctions today.

Myanmar’s top general led a coup in February 2021 after five years of tense power-sharing under a military-created semi-civilian political system that led to a decade of unprecedented reforms.

The country has been in turmoil since then, with an insurgency battling the military on multiple fronts after a bloody crackdown on opponents that saw Western sanctions reintroduced.

Read also : UN: Military coup triggers surge in opium production in Myanmar

“Today’s U.S. decision will target the chief executive and deputy chief executive of state-owned MOGE, which are the junta’s main revenue-generating state enterprises,” the ministry statement said.

Human rights advocates have called for sanctions against MOGE, but Washington has so far refrained from naming the state-owned company.

Myanmar’s Union Energy Minister Myo Myint Oo was one of Washington’s sanctions envoys. The US Treasury said it represents the government of Myanmar in international and domestic energy sector engagement and manages public entities involved in the production and export of oil and gas.

Mining companies, state-owned enterprises and the General Election Commission are also expected to face US sanctions.

The army has promised to hold elections in August this year. Last Friday, the junta announced tough conditions for parties to participate in the elections, including a major increase in membership.

The condition was a move that could ward off military opponents and strengthen his grip on power.

Canada targeted six people and banned the export, sale, supply or delivery of aviation fuel in its action on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Australia is targeting junta members and military-run businesses.

On the other hand, the UK has appointed two companies and two individuals to help supply the Myanmar Air Force with aviation fuel used to carry out bombing campaigns against its own citizens.

“The junta must be held accountable for its brutal crackdown on opposition voices, its terrorizing airstrikes and its audacious human rights abuses,” said British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.

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(FJR)