U.S. Imposes Visa Restrictions on South Sudanese Authorities

The United States announced visa restrictions on South Sudanese officials obstructing humanitarian aid by taxing shipments. South Sudan faces a severe humanitarian crisis due to conflict and natural disasters. Despite assurances, the government has not reduced bureaucratic barriers hampering aid delivery, raising questions about its commitment to peace agreements.

The United States is implementing visa restrictions targeting South Sudanese government members and other individuals obstructing humanitarian aid deliveries by imposing taxes, according to a State Department statement on Friday.

South Sudan, which endured a devastating civil war from 2013 to 2018 resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths, is currently facing a crippling humanitarian crisis exacerbated by ongoing conflict, natural calamities, and acute poverty.

U.N. missions have reported that South Sudanese authorities are delaying United Nations fuel tankers due to a tax dispute. This delay is endangering the provision of aid worth millions of dollars amid the humanitarian crisis. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller emphasized that despite previous assurances, South Sudan's government has not substantially lowered the high costs, bureaucratic hurdles, or risks in delivering humanitarian assistance to those in desperate need. Miller highlighted that these actions call into question the government's dedication to its 2018 peace agreement commitment to facilitate humanitarian aid and protection.

(With inputs from agencies.)