JUBA — The United States government has suspended U.S. foreign assistance activities in Ayod County, Jonglei State, following continued interference, abuse, and exploitation of U.S.-funded humanitarian aid by South Sudanese officials.
In addition, the U.S. government is reviewing its assistance programs in Western Bahr el-Ghazal State and is considering significant reductions if conditions do not improve.
The actions, announced on January 8, underscore Washington’s resolve to respond decisively when foreign assistance is misused rather than delivered in partnership to support the South Sudanese people.
“These steps demonstrate U.S. resolve to forcefully respond when South Sudanese officials take advantage of the United States instead of working in partnership with us,” the U.S. government said in a statement.
The decision follows a December 11 statement by the Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs, which called on South Sudan’s transitional government to stop imposing illicit costs on humanitarian actors attempting to deliver aid.
According to U.S. officials, abuses have occurred at multiple levels of government, including national, state, and county authorities. On January 2, the Ayod County Commissioner detained an aid worker after the individual refused an illegal demand to surrender assets belonging to a U.S. foreign assistance partner.
In Western Bahr el-Ghazal State, the situation has also deteriorated. Since November, the State Minister of Health has blocked the transfer of pharmaceutical supplies between U.S.-funded partners. Despite repeated requests, transitional government officials have failed to release the life-saving supplies.
Since South Sudan gained independence in 2011, the United States has provided more than $9.5 billion in foreign assistance to support humanitarian relief, development, and stability efforts in the country.
The U.S. government is calling on South Sudan’s transitional government to take immediate remedial actions, beginning with holding accountable all officials who have interfered with or imposed illicit costs on U.S.-funded assistance.
“The Trump Administration has a zero-tolerance policy for theft and diversion of life-saving assistance,” the statement said.
Washington emphasized that assistance can resume or continue only when partners are able to operate without coercion, abuse, or unlawful interference, and when aid reaches the South Sudanese people it is intended to help.
