The U.S. State Department announced Friday that it is imposing visa restrictions on South Sudanese officials and others who have obstructed humanitarian aid by taxing shipments.
South Sudan, which suffered a crushing civil war from 2013 to 2018, is now facing one of the world’s most dire humanitarian crises.
Persistent conflict, natural disasters, and widespread poverty have left millions in urgent need of assistance.
The United Nations reported delays in the arrival of U.N. fuel tankers because of a tax dispute with South Sudanese authorities, jeopardizing the delivery of crucial aid worth millions of dollars.
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.
The ALPS group — 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.
VOA’S Lisa Schlein contributed to this story from Geneva. Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.