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The United States has accused South Sudan’s transitional government of imposing illicit costs on humanitarian operations and obstructing United Nations peacekeeping operations.
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs made the allegations on Thursday in a statement it titled “Time to Stop Taking Advantage of the United States.”
South Sudanese authorities have recently imposed “exorbitant fees on humanitarian shipments” and hindered UN peacekeepers, according to the U.S. Bureau of African Affairs.
The office called on the transitional government to halt these actions immediately.
It also warned that if the Sudan leaders do not stop the exploitation, the United States will make a “significant reductions” to its aid.
“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.
“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 office also disclosed that South Sudan’s leaders have denied any responsibility for the humanitarian crisis in the country and have called for “ever increasing donor funding.”
U.S. Bureau of African Affairs, however, claimed that the narrative from South Sudan’s leaders “is a false narrative.”
The humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, according to the US office, 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.”
