South Sudan: U.S. targets multiple individuals with visa restrictions

The statement from the US Department of State said individuals accused of serious offenses, including mismanaging the nation’s resources, failing to tackle public corruption, and enabling elite capture of the country’s wealth, will face visa restrictions.

Additionally, they were accused of failing to protect the people of South Sudan from human rights abuses and violations of their civil and political rights.

Lastly, they were charged with failing to maintain peace and stability in the region.

“The United States had hoped to join the people of South Sudan this week in celebrating their country’s first election since the creation of an independent Republic of South Sudan.”

“Instead, we mark another missed opportunity for the transitional government of South Sudan to bring the cycle of election delays to an end and respect the people of South Sudan.” the statement noted.

South Sudan is facing a severe economic crisis, with civil servants unpaid for nearly a year due to disrupted oil exports caused by a damaged pipeline amid the civil war in neighbouring Sudan.

Still recovering from its five-year civil war that ended in 2018, the country struggles with poverty, food insecurity, and limited access to basic services.

Natural disasters, including severe flooding affecting over 735,000 people, have worsened the humanitarian crisis, leaving 9 million in need of aid and 7.1 million requiring food assistance.

South Sudan’s reliance on oil exports and global price fluctuations adds to its challenges.

In September, the government postponed elections to December 2026, citing a lack of preparedness.

“The presidency, under the chairmanship of President Salva Kiir Mayardit, has announced an extension of the country’s transitional period by two years as well as postponing elections, which were initially scheduled for December 2024 to December 22nd, 2026,” Kiir’s office said

This delay has sparked concerns about the country’s ability to transition to a stable democracy despite the 2018 peace agreement.

This is the second time the country, which gained independence in 2011, is postponing elections and extending a transitional period that started in February 2020.

The US said its decision to impose sanctions on South Sudan reflects its unwavering commitment to supporting the country’s people in their pursuit of strengthened democracy and rule of law.

This sanction is the third round of measures taken under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as part of a 2019 policy targeting individuals who undermine or impede lasting peace in South Sudan, as well as their family members.

By taking this action, the US says it aims to promote accountability among those responsible for undermining peace in the region