The United States is giving up on the government of South Sudan, saying the current government led by President Salva Kiir has lost credibility.
“The Government of South Sudan has lost credibility, and the United States is losing patience,” the White House declared in a statement on Tuesday.
The Trump administration said the current unity government in Juba is no longer inclusive, pointing out that the forced exile of key leadership representatives who signed the 2015 peace agreement further demonstrates the Kiir government’s rejection of the peace process.
The United States further said the promotion of UN-sanctioned individuals to senior government positions, such as Jok Riak to SPLA Chief of Defense Forces, demonstrates the South Sudanese government’s disdain for international norms.
“To that end, the United States will condemn any unilateral effort of the current Government of South Sudan to extend its power through sham elections, the legislature, or continued military offensives,” partly reads the statement.
“Only an inclusive, negotiated agreement is acceptable as a means to extend the South Sudanese Government’s term… The people of South Sudan deserve a government that is able and willing to lead the country to a stable future,” adds the statement.
The US said it is beginning a comprehensive review of its aid programs to South Sudan over the country’s lack of progress toward resolving its civil war.
“Included in this review will be the U.S. support for the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanism (JMEC) and other mechanisms intended to support the 2015 peace agreement known as the Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS),” the White House said.
The United States government stressed that it will not continue in a partnership with leaders who are only interested in perpetuating an endless war characterized by ethnically-motivated atrocities.
“The United States remains committed to working with regional leaders to bring peace and stability to South Sudan, and we commend Ethiopia’s efforts,” it said.
South Sudan government officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
The United State is South Sudan’s largest donor of humanitarian aid. It imposed an arms embargo on South Sudan in February, and sanctioned government officials and oil companies over the ongoing crisis in the youngest nation.