Gov’t denies U.S accusations of obstructing humanitarian assistance amid aid cuts
By Denis Ejulu
The South Sudanese government on Friday denied accusations from the United States of obstructing humanitarian assistance, following a recent decision by Washington to suspend foreign assistance to the country.
Spokesperson for the South Sudan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Thomas Kenneth Elisapana, said that the accusations implicating senior government and lower-ranking officials of obstructing humanitarian access through imposition of illicit costs are unsubstantiated.
“We have not yet received official communication on that through diplomatic channels, but our preliminary position is this, the claim about senior government officials involved in obstruction of humanitarian activities are unsubstantiated and therefore unfounded,” Kenneth told journalists in Juba.
Kenneth also stressed that South Sudan as a sovereign country respects the decisions of the U.S government, adding that the government has been providing unhindered access to humanitarian activities through the concerned authorities.
On Jan.8, the U.S government suspended foreign assistance in Ayod County, Jonglei State, and also said that it is reviewing it’s assistance in Western Bahr El Ghazal State and considering significant reductions, according to a statement issued by it’s embassy in Juba.
It claimed that the Ayod County Commissioner on Jan.2 detained an aid worker who refused an illegal request to surrender assets from a U.S foreign assistance partner.
In addition, it also noted that the Western Bahr El Ghazal State minister of health has since November prevented the transfer of pharmaceutical supplies from the U.S foreign assistance partner to another.
“These steps are consistent with the Dec.11 statement by the Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs that called on the transitional government to stop imposing illicit costs on those trying to help the South Sudanese people. They follow continued abuse, exploitation, and theft directed against U.S foreign assistance by South Sudanese officials at national, state, and county levels,” the statement disclosed.
