US spells out priorities on South Sudan
Washington, DC, US (PANA) - The US has asked the transitional government in South Sudan to undertake immediate action if it wishes to maintain United States support.
In a statement issued on Friday, spelling out US' priorities on South Sudan, it said South Sudan's transitional government has repeatedly failed to live up to its commitments to international partners and its responsibilities to support its people.
It said President Donald Trump has made clear that the United States will not be taken advantage of and told the South the government in Juba to undertake urgent action to uphold peace and mitigate the risk of civil war through an immediate return to dialogue among the parties to the 2018 peace agreement.
“It is farcical to say that such dialogue is taking place while the head of the second largest party to the agreement, First Vice President (Riek) Machar, is under arrest and on trial,” the statement said.
The US said the South Sudanese transitional government must address the misuse of its public revenue, ensuring it is allocated for appropriate public purposes, including public sector salaries, health and education services, humanitarian relief, and infrastructure.
“United States taxpayer-funded emergency assistance is not a substitute for good governance and transparent public financial management.”
The US stressed that there must be an end to the abuse, exploitation, and theft directed against U.S. foreign assistance by South Sudanese officials at national, state, and county levels. This would both protect U.S. taxpayer dollars from waste and help transform South Sudan into a capable and reliable state for U.S. trade and investment.
The press release added that South Sudanese exploitation of the U.S. immigration system must end, and there must be full transitional government cooperation with U.S. immigration law and border security priorities.
In a post on X, the US Senior Adviser on Arab and African Affairs, Massad Boulos, said the people of South Sudan have waited long enough for peace, reiterating thet genuine dialogue cannot happen when key leaders are imprisoned.
“The United States stands ready to support South Sudan, but this requires results and accountability. We call on South Sudan's transitional government to honour its commitments and deliver for its people,” Mr. Boulos said.
-0- PANA MA 1March2026
