Frustrated by the long delay in the formation of a unity government, the United States has said that it would restrict visas to South Sudanese who impair peace efforts. The Department of State announced that visa restrictions will be implemented under the Immigration and Nationality Act Section 212(a)(3)(C) against those who impair the peace process in South Sudan. This will include Individuals who directly or indirectly undermine peace including: violating a ceasefire or cessation of hostilities agreement; violating the UN arms embargo; engaging in corruption that fuels the conflict; suppressing freedoms of expression, failing to abide by signed peace agreements etc. Announcing this, Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo said that the United States would deny visas to individuals who “undermine or impede the peace process in South Sudan.” Though Pompeo did not reveal the names of individuals who would fall in the visa restrictions, he indicated that even immediate family members could also be denied visas.
South Sudan won independence in 2011 from military rulers of Arab- and Muslim-dominated Sudan after years of struggle. The impoverished nation was since then backed by the United States. South Sudan receives approximately $1 billion in annual aid from US. But the United States have been facing mounting frustration due to the continued squabble between President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar. The resultant conflict has killed nearly 400,000 people and displaced four million — one-third of the country’s population.US called back its ambassador for consultations, although South Sudan still receives the US annual aid, which largely goes to food and other immediate needs. The US also imposed sanctions this week on five South Sudanese for murdering an opposition activist and a human rights lawyer which includes travel ban to the United States, freezing of any assets they may have in the US and criminalize financial transactions with them.
African Mediators have also been trying to bring compromise between the warring leaders to bring stability and peace to the country. For the second time, On November 12, African mediators sanctioned them 100 days to form a unity government under a peace plan.
