Juba says punitive measures have hindered peace-implementation and institution-building despite years of cooperation with Washington
JUBA, South Sudan — The Government of South Sudan has strongly rejected recent criticism from the United States regarding the country’s political leadership, renewing calls for the removal of U.N. sanctions and the arms embargo that have remained in place for years.
In a statement issued Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said comments made by U.S. Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs Jennifer Locetta following the renewal of U.N. sanctions failed to accurately reflect realities on the ground in South Sudan.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ambassador Agok Anyar emphasized that South Sudan values its longstanding relationship with the United States, acknowledging Washington’s support during the country’s struggle for independence and post-independence development. However, he said the government disagreed with U.S. characterizations of President Salva Kiir’s leadership and the country’s peace process.
“President Kiir remains the principal implementer of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan and has demonstrated consistent commitment to national unity, inclusive peace and reconciliation,” the ministry stated.
The government acknowledged continuing economic, humanitarian, and institutional challenges but argued that these difficulties have been compounded by regional instability, global economic pressures, and restrictions imposed through international sanctions.
Juba maintained that progress has been achieved under the 2018 peace agreement, citing security-sector reforms, political consultations, and engagement with regional partners. Officials argued that the continued sanctions regime and arms embargo have slowed implementation of critical security arrangements and weakened efforts to strengthen state institutions.
“The government holds a clear position that renewed sanctions and the continuation of the arms embargo are counterproductive,” the statement said.
South Sudan further called on the United States and its international partners to shift toward engagement, capacity-building, and technical assistance rather than punitive measures. Government officials contend that sanctions have not delivered the intended results and instead have complicated efforts to build stable national institutions capable of sustaining long-term peace.
The statement came in response to remarks made by Jennifer Locetta at the United Nations Security Council on May 29, following the council’s decision to renew sanctions on South Sudan for another year, including an arms embargo, travel bans, and asset freezes.
Locetta welcomed the renewal and expressed concern over what she described as insufficient progress toward meeting benchmarks associated with the sanctions regime. She attributed the lack of progress to what she called limited political will among South Sudan’s leaders and criticized the pace of implementation of the 2018 peace agreement.
South Sudan’s government, however, argues that continued sanctions undermine rather than support peace implementation. Officials say that after years of cooperation with international partners, the country deserves greater support for institution-building and security reform instead of measures they believe restrict national development.
The government reiterated its commitment to completing the political transition, strengthening accountability mechanisms, and fully implementing the peace agreement while remaining open to diplomatic engagement with the United States and the broader international community.
— Juba Watch Dogs
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