November 29th 2019 (Nyamilepedia) – The United States of America said on Thursday that it was exploring measures against what it said is South Sudan’s “unelected government” after the parties to the revitalized peace agreement failed to form a unity government on November 12th as agreed.
President Salva Kiir and SPLM-IO leader Dr. Riek Machar early this month decided to extend the pre-transitional period for 3 months after an initial extension from May ended without a breakthrough in the implementation of the critical pre-transitional tasks provided for in the peace agreement.
The US this week recalled its ambassador to Juba saying it was re-evaluating ties with the government of President Salva Kiir Mayardit.
South Sudan government has criticized the US recall of ambassador accusing the world power of making contradictory statements and changing stances.
“The Department of State has called Ambassador Hushek back to reassess our relationship with the existing, unelected government, and to discuss what measures might be employed to discourage obstruction of the peaceful progression to an inclusive transition government,” the US embassy in Juba said on Thursday.
“All parties to the agreement, and particularly President Salva Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar, share responsibility for the failure to form a new transition government on November 12,” the embassy added.
It further said the parties have made little progress for the last 14 months since the signing of the agreement which would have ensured the “completion of the key tasks assigned to the pre-transition period, indicating a lack of political will by the parties’ leadership who undertook obligations by signing the agreement. These delays have cost the people of South Sudan by delaying the significant reforms outlined in the agreement which are necessary to build a lasting peace.”
“In addition to the hundreds of millions the United States has paid for the UNMISS peacekeeping mission and to fund the peace agreement’s key monitoring mechanisms, the United States and other international partners have contributed several billions of dollars for humanitarian and development purposes, all of which are the responsibility of government – which gives us an interest in the peaceful transition to an elected government that acts responsibly, respects the rights of its citizens, and does not support corruption and conflict.
“We have engaged with all parties, (both signatory and non-signatory), to encourage them to make progress towards these objectives, but remain disappointed by slow progress and the obvious lack of will on the part of the individuals who have been entrusted this important responsibility to their nation.
“We urge all parties and individuals in South Sudan to likewise reflect on their failure and on what changes are needed in order to accomplish necessary tasks within the limited time remaining in the one-hundred day extension.”
