The United States Government announced steps to impose visa restrictions on multiple individuals responsible for, or complicit in, undermining and impeding a sustainable peace in the Republic of South Sudan.
This came following the latest setback in the Tumaini peace talks between the government of national unity and the holdout opposition groups in Nairobi, Kenya, dimming the glimmering ray of hope for sustainable peace and stability in South Sudan.
While on the 2018 revitalized peace agreement, the parties that formed the transitional unity government have been showing no political will to implement the security reform protocol, including the training of the second phase of the unified forces, deployment of forces, and instituting the politically neutral forces to provide adequate security during the elections.
For the fourth time, the parties to the revitalized agreement have been suspending the elections and extending their stay in power, hence prolonging the transitional period and denying the citizens the right to elect their leaders in a peaceful, inclusive, credible, and fair election in line with the international standards.
“We note the continued failure of South Sudan’s leaders to use their nation’s resources to the benefit of its people, their failure to end public corruption and elite capture of the country’s resources, their failure to protect the people of South Sudan from abuses and violations of their human rights, including civil and political rights, and their failure to maintain peace,” US government said in a statement.
“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.”
“Today’s actions demonstrate the United States’ continued support for the people of South Sudan and their aspirations to strengthen democracy and the rule of law, and our ongoing commitment to promote accountability for those failing to maintain peace,” the statement concluded.
