US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said South Sudan's President Salva Kiir "doesn't care" if the Trump administration pulls aid from his country.
“So first to go back to that you know when you look at South Sudan, you have to really think hard before you pull U.S. aid because President Kiir doesn’t care if we pull U.S. aid,” Haley said in Addis Ababa after meeting with Ethiopian and African Union leaders to discuss Africa's peace and security challenges on Monday.
“He [Kiir] doesn't care if his people suffer. That's the concern we have as we don’t know that it will make a difference by pulling U.S. aid or not,” she said.
The American diplomat warned South Sudan could become a breeding ground for extremist groups amid the suffering.
The top US official further said her administration will continue to see added pressure coming from the regional leaders.
“But I think if there is not a response from South Sudan, you will continue to see added pressure coming from the IGAD and I think that the AU obviously is going to continue to move and work with the IGAD as they go forward. Our goal is to have one voice [saying] we have to see peace in South Sudan.,” she said.
“We have to see that women are being taken care of. We can’t see any more death. We can’t see any more famine. We’ve got to start seeing the situation get better and I think that the pressure is only going to continue until President Kiir makes the difference in that area,” she adds.
Haley pointed out that the U.S and UN were trying very much to do their part but more specifically anywhere from humanitarian aid to peace and security, to helping with political situations, but more importantly building relationships.
Haley arrives in Juba
The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has arrived in the South Sudanese capital, Juba on Wednesday morning.
Ms. Haley, who is the highest ranking Trump administration official to visit South Sudan, was accompanies by several U.S officials.
She is scheduled to meet President Kiir.