Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The United States wants more stringent measures taken against south Sudanese leaders perceived to be impeding the implementation of the peace process.
Senator Chris Van Hollen in a statement claimed that a section of South Sudanese leaders is dragging their feet in implementing the peace agreement, hence slowing down the planned election set for next year.
“There is no doubt that the people of South Sudan must have an opportunity to choose legitimate leaders. But the conditions do not exist currently [in South Sudan] to enable such an exercise,” Senator Hollen who represents Maryland, said in a statement seen by The City Review Digital.
South Sudan is set to go for elections on December 2024 but several chapters to the agreement are still pending.
The US is also calling for a serious crackdown on violators of human rights, while at the same time wants further sanctions taken against corrupt government officials.
“The renewal of the mandate [of UNMISS] this month provides an opportunity to review US and multilateral policy toward South Sudan and consider changes intended to accelerate progress toward free and fair elections, improve humanitarian conditions, and crack down on human rights violators and public officials who abuse their positions for private gain.”
“We also urge the [Joe Biden] administration to consider whether additional sanctions and other accountability measures on senior officials in the South Sudanese government, military, and National Security Service, or individuals and actors in the region who enable corruption and the perpetuation of conflict in South Sudan, could contribute to the pursuit of these goals,” added a statement co-signed by Senator Benjamin Cardin.
The two senators said that America is seriously concerned about the ‘many postponements’ of the election, due in December 2024.
“This month provides an opportunity to review US and multilateral policy toward South Sudan and consider changes intended to accelerate progress toward free and fair elections,” added the statement.
Last year, parties to the agreement agreed on a roadmap, to extend the term of a transitional government by another 24 months.
Source: The City Review South Sudan
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