S. Sudan govt responds to US concerns over humanitarian operations

The South Sudan government has responded to concerns raised by the United States over the operating environment for humanitarian organizations, saying it does not consider it appropriate to make broad generalizations about the conduct of officials at national, state, or local levels.

The response follows a September 20 statement by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs concerning the operating environment for humanitarian organizations in South Sudan.

In its response, the government said specific concerns relating to access, administrative requirements, security, or the conduct of individual officials should be addressed through appropriate channels and on the basis of facts.

“Where specific concerns arise relating to access, administrative requirements, security, or the conduct of individual officials, the government will continue to address them through the appropriate channels and on the basis of the facts.”

The government also said it does not accept a number of the characterizations contained in the U.S. statement, including those concerning the management of public revenue and the causes of the humanitarian situation in the country.

The U.S. said it will use “all the tools available,” including sanctions and visa restrictions, to address what it describes as the obstruction of humanitarian assistance in South Sudan.

In its statement, Washington accused South Sudan’s transitional government of failing to reduce the costs and risks faced by humanitarian organizations working to assist people in need.

The U.S. said officials at national, state and local levels have obstructed humanitarian assistance and treated it as a source of revenue.

The United States also urged South Sudan’s transitional authorities to address what it described as the man-made drivers of the country’s humanitarian crisis, including political violence and what it said was the failure to use public revenue appropriately to provide basic services, respond to humanitarian needs and pay public-sector salaries.

Washington warned that the government’s conduct toward humanitarian organizations will continue to influence U.S. decisions about where to direct foreign assistance resources.

The U.S. statement said:

“We will use all the tools available to us, including sanctions and visa restrictions,”

It said the measures are intended to address what Washington described as impunity that has contributed to making South Sudan one of the most dangerous places in the world for humanitarian workers.

The United States said it has been and remains the largest provider of humanitarian assistance to the people of South Sudan.

The statement adds to growing pressure on South Sudan’s transitional government over the security and operating environment facing humanitarian organizations.

Despite the differences, the government said it appreciates U.S. support and values the bilateral relationship.

“The government appreciates the support provided by the United States. We value our bilateral relationship and will continue to address matters of mutual concern through direct and constructive engagement.”

The United States remains a major provider of humanitarian assistance to South Sudan, where millions of people depend on aid amid conflict, displacement, food insecurity and limited access to basic services.

The response maintains that specific concerns should be handled on the basis of facts and through appropriate channels, while reaffirming the importance South Sudan places on its bilateral relationship with the United States.