US imposing visa restrictions on South Sudan individuals obstructing aid

August 31, 2024 (WASHINGTON) – The United States will impose visa restrictions on individuals obstructing humanitarian aid delivery into South Sudan, the State Department said on Friday.

In a statement, the US expressed concerns over the tax being levied on shipments delivering aid to the needy.

Visa restrictions will prevent those implicated from entering the country.

South Sudan is currently experiencing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises due to persistent conflict as well as the effects of climate change.

According to the United Nations, South Sudanese authorities are holding up their fuel tankers over a tax dispute. This, it said, has hampered the delivery of humanitarian aid meant for the needy.

“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 in a statement.

He added, “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”.

(ST)