Citizens describe US decision to suspend funding as ‘late but necessary’ to pressure leaders

JUBA – South Sudanese citizens have reacted to the decision by the United States of America (USA) to suspend its funding to key peace monitoring mechanisms, with most of them describing it as late, but necessary, in pressuring the leaders to implement the agreement.

Interacting with Sudans Post, citizens reacting to the decision by the United States of America say the latest US decision was necessary, although they described as late, in pressuring the unity government in Juba to living up to its promises of bringing about a lasting peace.

“They have accepted the agreement that was signed in 2018. This agreement, if implemented with will, is able to end the suffering of the people of South Sudan, but because of their greedy actions, they don’t want to implement it because they want to stay further in power without our will,” Jackson Idri, a Juba resident and student at Juba university, said.

“So, in my opinion, the decision by the United States of America is late, but it is necessary in forcing our leaders in accepting responsibility and bring the peace that our people need the most, we don’t need money as of now, but we need peace. The people of South Sudan are able to feed themselves, but when they find themselves in circumstances preventing activities, they cannot feed themselves,” he added.

Another citizen who requested not to be identified said the United States government cannot use its money just to be diverted to individual pockets and other activities that are not the purpose of the funding.

“The US is right, how can you continue to fund when each time you give money to help citizens in a foreign country, those money end up in individual pocket without accountability. Even the US taxpayer will not be happy with their government, so the US has don’t nothing wrong,” he said.

“Even we the citizens of the Republic of South Sudan, we don’t care because such a huge amount ends up in the pockets of the elites, people who have not even fought for our country. So let America take its money,” he added.