The United States has announced measures to impose visa restrictions on several individuals who are either responsible for or complicit in undermining and obstructing sustainable peace in South Sudan. This decision reflects ongoing concerns about the leadership in South Sudan, which has been criticized for failing to utilize national resources for the benefit of its citizens, not addressing public corruption, and not protecting human rights.
The U.S. had anticipated celebrating South Sudan's first election since its independence but instead observed another missed opportunity due to continued election delays by the transitional government. The actions taken by the U.S. underscore its support for the aspirations of the South Sudanese people to strengthen democracy and uphold the rule of law.
This announcement marks the third set of actions under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and National Act, a policy initiated in 2019 targeting those impeding peace efforts in South Sudan, including their family members.
