The United States has warned South Sudan’s transitional government that it could impose sanctions and visa restrictions on those obstructing humanitarian assistance, accusing officials at national, state and local levels of treating aid as a source of revenue.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs said the government had failed to reduce the costs and risks faced by humanitarian organisations working to assist people in need.
“For far too long, South Sudan’s transitional government has ignored its responsibility to reduce the costs and risks faced by those seeking to help South Sudanese people in need,” the bureau said.
The United States said such practices had contributed to making South Sudan one of the most dangerous places in the world for humanitarian workers.
Washington, which is the largest provider of humanitarian assistance to South Sudan, also urged the government to address what it described as the “man-made main drivers” of the humanitarian crisis.
It cited political violence and what it said was the failure to properly use public revenue to provide basic services, respond to humanitarian needs and pay public-sector salaries.
The U.S. government said South Sudan’s treatment of humanitarian organisations would factor into future decisions on the allocation of U.S. foreign assistance.
“South Sudan’s transitional government’s unwillingness to act like a partner to those trying to help their people will continue to factor heavily into the United States’ decision making about where to devote valuable foreign assistance resources around the world,” it said.
Sanctions, visa restrictions
The bureau said Washington would use all available measures, including sanctions and visa restrictions, against those contributing to what it described as impunity surrounding the obstruction of humanitarian assistance.
“We will use all the tools available to us, including sanctions and visa restrictions, to end the impunity that has contributed to making South Sudan one of the most dangerous places in the world to deliver humanitarian assistance,” it said.
The warning comes as millions of South Sudanese depend on humanitarian assistance amid conflict, displacement, food insecurity and limited access to basic services.
The United States has previously documented restrictions affecting humanitarian operations in South Sudan, including difficulties obtaining travel permissions and work-related approvals for aid workers.
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