US approves $1 billion for humanitarian aid in South Sudan
The United States government has approved $1 billion for humanitarian aid and developmental projects in South Sudan.
The fund will be channelled through the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the African Union, the International Authority on Development (IGAD), and other partners alike.
The statement released by the US department of state on Sunday said: “The United States continues to provide significant assistance to save lives and reduce the suffering of the people of South Sudan, including approximately $1 billion in humanitarian and development assistance, support to the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), and additional assistance in coordination with partners through the World Bank and other international financial institutions.”
Despite cutting funding for the peace monitors, the US government vowed to support the country’s transition in its quest for freedom, democracy, and prosperity. However, it cited misuse of national resources, including oil proceeds by the national government, and partial freedom of expression and harassment of journalists.
“The United States stands with the South Sudanese people and is committed to working with them, in concert with the UNMISS, the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and other partners to build a state that lives up to the promises of freedom, democracy, and prosperity made more than a decade ago when the country won its hard-fought struggle for independence.”
It comes days after Washington suspended its support for Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanism (R-JMEC), and Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM).
It decried sluggish implementation of the revitalised peace agreement and lack of a professional army due to delayed graduation of Necessary Unified Forces.
On the other hand, President Salva Salva Kiir has been calling for the withdrawal of sanctions on individuals by the US government as well as an arms embargo imposed on the country by the United Nations Security Council, which he stated was a dire threat to the graduation of unified forces.
