South Sudan Govt. Protests U.S. Decision to Cut Financial Aid to the Country

The dependence of African countries on foreign aid is a disgrace to the continent, and it is funny how African leaders react whenever the issue of financial aid sanctions arises.

South Sudan’s government has strongly protested against the recent announcement by the United States of America to impose fresh sanctions and cut the financial aid it provides to the country.

Last Friday, the United States Treasury made public its decision to cut financial aid to the country after it executed sanctions on an ex-Israel military officer and two South Sudanese nationals named Obac William Olawo and Gregory Vasili, who were accused of instigating conflict in South Sudan.

The Treasury department in its statement also upheld the position of the United States national security advisor, John Bolton, who said that his country would immediately stop all its financial aid to the young African nation.

According to Bolton, the decision was reached as a result of the ongoing internal battle between the country’s ‘morally bankrupt leaders’.

On its part, the government of South Sudan has said it would protest the ‘unjustifiable’ actions of the United States government.

Speaking during a press conference yesterday, a South Sudan foreign ministry spokesman, Mawien Makol warned that the ‘unjustifiable’ actions and decision of the government of the United States was uncalled for and will affect the recent peace agreement reached by the government of his country.

Mawien Makol said during the conference that:

“The government of South Sudan would like to register its concern and protest in the strongest terms against these unjustified unilateral sanctions, and on other USA statements designed to undermine the implementation of the peace agreement in South Sudan.

“The decision by the US can only be described as unjustifiable. It comes in the wake of the peace deal. The US should provide support in pursuit of holdout groups to join peace.

“The government of South Sudan has endeavored to promote dialogue with the government of United States of America, and welcomes any proposals on improving bilateral relations, and requests the US administration to engage in a more positive manner with Juba.”

You will recall that in August this year, the government and rebels of South Sudan signed a power-sharing agreement to end a deadly civil war ravaging the country.

Under the agreement, Riek Machar will join a government of national unity and become first vice president.

While President Salva Kiir’s team will take 20 positions in the new 35-member government, 9 positions will go to Machar’s group and the rest will go to other small opposition groups.

The Parliament will have 550 members, 332 from Kiir’s group and 128 from Machar’s group.

Is the government right to use the peace agreement as a threat to regain financial aid from the United States?

Share your thoughts!

Header Image Credit: CNN