The United States on Thursday accused the Government of South Sudan of exploiting foreign assistance while obstructing humanitarian efforts and violating international obligations.
A statement by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs warned that if these actions are not stopped, there will be a comprehensive review of U.S. aid to the country, with the likelihood of substantial reductions.
In a strongly worded statement titled “Time to Stop Taking Advantage of the United States,” the U.S. contends that South Sudanese authorities have imposed illicit costs on humanitarian shipments and obstructed United Nations peacekeeping operations.
“The South Sudanese transitional government continues to impose illicit costs on those trying to help its people, most recently by imposing exorbitant fees on humanitarian shipments and by obstructing UN peacekeeping operations. These actions constitute egregious violations of South Sudan’s international obligations,” the statement reads in part. “We call on the transitional government to halt these actions immediately. If it does not, the United States will initiate a comprehensive review of our foreign assistance in South Sudan with the likelihood of making significant reductions.”
The statement also faulted South Sudan’s leaders for denying any responsibility for the humanitarian crisis in their country while calling for ever-increasing donor funding.
“This is a false narrative. The humanitarian crisis in South Sudan is driven by poor governance, a failure to spend public revenue for the benefit of the people, the insecurity created by South Sudanese leaders, and the predatory rent-seeking that is directed against humanitarian aid,” the statement said. “United States support for the South Sudanese people is well known. The American taxpayer has provided over $9.5 billion in foreign assistance since South Sudan’s independence in 2011.”
According to the Bureau, during the same period, the transitional government has received an estimated $25 billion in oil revenue, which it has repeatedly failed to use to address compounding public needs.
“The transitional government should start being a partner to those trying to help its people rather than obstructing their work,” the statement reads. “The South Sudanese people should see public revenue used appropriately, including for payment of public sector salaries, funding of health and education services, and support for people in need.”
The Bureau stated that the U.S. partnership with the South Sudanese people predates the country’s independence by decades.
“We value that history, but we cannot leave the transitional government’s abuses unanswered. To do so would create the moral hazard of further encouraging the transitional government to persist in the approach that has exponentially worsened South Sudanese humanitarian needs.”
The department stated that President Trump has vowed a tougher stance against South Sudan and all nations that are oppressing its citizens, as well as those that are misusing U.S aid.
“For far too long, the transitional government has done so, exploiting our taxpayer dollars, taking advantage of the United States, other donors, and its own people,” the statement stressed. “This behavior must stop immediately.”