South Sudan says has not been notified of any US aid suspension

JUBA – South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFA&IC) said on Friday it has not been notified officially of the U.S. suspension of foreign assistance in Ayod County of Jonglei State.

On Jan. 8^th, the United States announced the suspension of foreign assistance in Ayod County of Jonglei State and launched a review of aid to Western Bahr el-Ghazal State, citing “continued abuse and obstruction” by South Sudanese officials that has hindered humanitarian operations.

The U.S. Embassy in Juba said they are also considering “significant reductions” in Western Bahr el-Ghazal, where life-saving medical supplies have reportedly been blocked for months.

Addressing journalists during a monthly media briefing in Juba on Friday, Amb. Thomas Kenneth Elisapana said the government has not received any official communication from the United States Embassy regarding aid suspension in Ayod County.

“We have not officially received communication on that; it is just on social media. We have not yet received official communication on that through diplomatic channels, but our preliminary position is that the claims about senior government officials being involved in obstructing humanitarian activities are unsubstantiated and therefore unfounded,” Kenneth said.

He said that as a sovereign country, the Republic of South Sudan respects the decisions of the U.S. government.

He added that the government has been providing access to humanitarian activities through the concerned authorities.

“Today’s actions demonstrate U.S. resolve to forcefully respond when South Sudanese officials take advantage of the United States instead of working in partnership with us to help the South Sudanese people.”

They stated that these steps are consistent with the December 11 statement by the Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs, which called on the transitional government to stop imposing illicit costs on those trying to help the South Sudanese people.

“They follow continued abuse, exploitation, and theft directed against U.S. foreign assistance by South Sudanese officials at national, state, and county levels.”