American lobbyists tell Kiir they will pursue Biden for removal of arms embargo, sanctions

JUBA – A team of United States lobbyists – mostly former Congressmen and businessmen – has met President Salva Kiir Mayardit in Juba and said that the arms embargo imposed by the United Nations in 2018 as well as sanctions imposed on the president’s government are not helping and would discuss with the Biden Administration that they should be removed.

The lobbyists made the pledge during a meeting with President Salva Kiir Mayardit at the State House J1 in Juba on Saturday to discuss cooperation and bilateral relations between the two countries, according to a statement by the presidency.

“President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Saturday met a delegation from the United States of America, comprising of former congressmen and women, as well as business individuals to discuss areas of mutual cooperation and how to strengthen bilateral relations between the two Countries,” the presidency said.

According to the presidency statement, the visiting American delegation “acknowledged that there has been sustainable progress and pledged to work with the government of South Sudan.”

Head of delegation Mark Siljander said they “will convey the message to their leadership in the United States in ways it will help the South Sudanese people and the government to move towards peace, stability, prosperity, liberty, and justice.”

The American businessmen went on to say that they “are aware that the sanctions are not helping, but affecting the Country’s prosperity and the implementation of the peace agreement” and pledged “to work harder to ensure that the sanctions are removed for South Sudan to prosper.”

“Because we were here from the beginning and we want to change and rebuild our relations into hope and enthusiasm and that is why we are here,” Mark added.