The United States has announced visa restrictions on certain South Sudanese government officials and others accused of obstructing humanitarian aid by imposing taxes on shipments, the State Department said on Friday.
South Sudan, which endured a devastating civil war from 2013 to 2018 resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths, continues to grapple with one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. Ongoing conflict, natural disasters, and widespread poverty have exacerbated the situation.
According to U.N. missions in South Sudan, local authorities have delayed United Nations fuel tankers over a tax dispute, putting millions of dollars in aid at risk during the ongoing humanitarian emergency.
“Despite assurances, the government has yet to effectively reduce the unacceptably high costs, bureaucratic obstacles, and risks of providing humanitarian assistance to South Sudanese people in need,” said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.
“This raises questions about the government’s willingness and capacity to honor its 2018 peace agreement commitment to create an enabling environment for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and protection,” he added in a statement.
The visa restrictions will prevent those identified from entering the United States.
