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U.S imposes Visa Restrictions on South Sudan Government

The U.S. State Department announced Friday that it imposes visa restrictions on South Sudan government officials and others who have obstructed humanitarian aid by taxing shipments.

The United States (U.S) is imposing visa restrictions on south Sudan members of the government and others who have obstructed humanitarian aid to the country by taxing shipments, the State Department said on Friday.

South Sudan, where hundreds of thousands of people died as a result of civil war from 2013-2018, is experiencing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises as a result of persistent conflict, natural disasters and poverty.

U.N. missions there have said South Sudanese authorities are holding up United Nations fuel tankers over a tax dispute, jeopardizing the delivery of millions of dollars of aid during a humanitarian crisis.

“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,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.

“This raises questions about its willingness and capacity to abide by its 2018 peace agreement commitment to create an enabling environment for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and protection,” he said in a statement.

The U.S visa restrictions on the South Sudan government would make those cited ineligible for entry into the United States.

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The United States has expressed strong concerns about the South Sudan transitional government’s lack of progress in meeting its commitments under a 2018 peace agreement. The agreement requires creating conditions that support effective humanitarian aid and protect those in need.

“Despite assurances, the government has not effectively reduced the high costs, bureaucratic barriers, and risks associated with providing humanitarian assistance,” said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.

“This raises doubts about the government’s commitment and ability to meet its 2018 peace agreement obligations and create an environment that supports aid delivery and protection.”

Sudan peace talks

Recent developments show some progress in resolving Sudan’s conflict, though, which would help ensure that South Sudan gets the aid it needs, despite the transitional government’s shortcomings under the peace deal.

The first round of the U.S.-mediated peace talks in Geneva regarding Sudan, which concluded last week, resulted in breakthroughs that improved access to humanitarian aid.

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Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, the U.S., the UAE, the African Union, and the U.N. — negotiated the opening of two of three essential access routes into famine-stricken areas.

Tom Perriello, the U.S. special envoy for Sudan, reported that agreements were reached to open the Adre border and ensure access along the Dabbah Road from Port Sudan.

Those routes are now operational, allowing nearly 3,000 tons of food and emergency relief to reach those in need.

Despite the advancements, Sudan faces severe challenges.

The World Food Program says that more than 26 million people in Sudan are experiencing acute hunger, with over 755,000 at risk of famine.

Since the conflict began in April 2023, more than 18,800 people have been killed and more than 33,000 injured.

The U.N. describes Sudan as the world’s largest displacement crisis, with upwards of 12 million people displaced.

The new visa restrictions will bar the affected individuals from entering the United States, aiming to pressure those blocking aid and highlight the need to meet humanitarian commitments.