A U.S. Senator has labeled South Sudan’s leaders as the greatest ‘obstruction’ to the realization of South Sudanese aspirations as they continue to rule without elected democratic legitimacy
Senator Jim Risch, a Republican, and a senate ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee made the remarks on South Sudan’s 11th anniversary of Independence Day.
“As South Sudan enters its eleventh year of independence, the United States remains a steadfast partner to the South Sudanese people in their journey toward achieving sustainable peace, prosperity, and democracy. South Sudan’s leaders, however, remain the country’s greatest barrier to realizing its aspirations as they continue to rule without elected democratic legitimacy”, said Risch
Senator Risch cautions the US gov’t to be careful with its assistance to South Sudan so that it is not used against the people of South Sudan
“We must be careful that our assistance is being used to support the people of South Sudan and not to perpetuate the status quo or further the corrupt and selfish behavior of its leaders”, said Risch
Risch urges Biden’s Administration to listen to Congress and prioritize developing a clear South Sudan policy, conduct a serious review of U.S. support to the country, and match the US investment in assistance with serious diplomatic engagement.
In December 2021, the U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan resolution, S. Res. 380, reiterating U.S. support for the people of South Sudan in their quest for lasting peace, stability, and democracy, and calling for a review of U.S. policy toward South Sudan.
That resolution was led by Ranking Member Risch and Senator Cory Booke, Democrat.
South Sudan has never held democratic elections since it gains independence on July 9, 2011.
The R- ACRSS calls for South Sudan to promulgate its permanent constitution and conduct general elections at the end of the transitional period.
However, the major parties to the peace agreement SPLM -IG and SPLM-IO have continued to issue mixed signals on the conduct of the elections as scheduled
Last week, the regional bloc IGAD urged the peace government to draw up timelines for completing the remaining tasks in the peace agreement, before the conduct of elections.
In August last year, President Salva Kiir told the citizens, that the much-anticipated general elections will take place at the end of the transitional period in 2023.
