South Sudan rejected U.S. criticism of its political leadership on Monday and renewed calls for the lifting of U.N. sanctions and an arms embargo, saying the measures undermine efforts to implement the 2018 peace deal and strengthen state institutions.
In a statement, the foreign ministry said remarks by U.S. Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs Jennifer Locetta following the renewal of U.N. sanctions did not accurately reflect the situation in the country.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ambassador Agok Anyar said South Sudan valued its longstanding relationship with the United States, which supported the country’s independence and post-independence development, but disagreed with what it described as U.S. characterisations of President Salva Kiir’s leadership.
“President Kiir remains the principal implementer of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan and has demonstrated consistent commitment to national unity, inclusive peace and reconciliation,” the ministry said.
The government acknowledged that South Sudan continued to face economic, humanitarian and institutional challenges, which it said had been worsened by regional and global developments.
It said progress had been made in implementing the 2018 peace agreement, including security-sector reforms, political consultations and cooperation with regional partners.
The ministry also reiterated its opposition to U.N. sanctions and the arms embargo, arguing that the measures had hindered the development of state institutions and slowed the implementation of key security arrangements.
“The government holds a clear position that renewed sanctions and the continuation of the arms embargo are counterproductive,” it said.
The ministry called on Washington to pursue what it described as a more constructive approach focused on engagement, capacity-building and technical support rather than punitive measures.
It said the government remained committed to completing the political transition, strengthening accountability and fully implementing the peace agreement, adding that it remained open to diplomatic engagement with the United States and other international partners.
The statement followed remarks by Locetta at the U.N. Security Council on May 29, after the council renewed sanctions on South Sudan, including an arms embargo, travel bans and asset freezes, for another year.
Locetta welcomed the renewal and said she was “disheartened” by what she described as a lack of progress in meeting benchmarks linked to the sanctions regime and a deteriorating political and security situation.
She attributed the lack of progress to what she called a lack of political will among South Sudan’s leaders, including President Kiir.
Locetta also criticised the state of the 2018 peace process, saying it was “farcical” to claim meaningful dialogue was taking place while one of the agreement’s signatories remained under house arrest and on trial, in an apparent reference to First Vice President Riek Machar.
She urged the transitional government to declare a national ceasefire, release detainees, renounce political violence and use public revenues to support citizens.
The U.N. Security Council imposed sanctions on South Sudan in 2015 and introduced an arms embargo in 2018 amid concerns over ongoing violence and delays in implementing peace agreements. The measures have been renewed annually despite repeated calls by Juba for their removal.
and then