![South Sudan's President Salva Kiir attends the state funeral of Kenya's former president Daniel arap Moi, at Nyayo Stadium in the capital Nairobi, Kenya, Feb. 11, 2020. [Photo by John Muchucha/AP]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/AP_20042502558989-scaled.jpg?ssl=1)
In a statement earlier Thursday, the United States treasury said “Mel previously oversaw ABMC Thai-South Sudan Construction Company Limited (ABMC), which was awarded contracts worth tens of millions of dollars by the Government of South Sudan (GoSS) and allegedly received preferential treatment from high-level GoSS officials in a non-competitive process for selecting ABMC to do roadwork throughout South Sudan. ARC Resources is linked to ABMC, and has been used by senior members of GoSS for laundering money.”
The Biden Administration that “As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of the persons above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC.”
In a statement, the ministry of foreign affairs and international cooperation described the US decision as unfortunate and by imposing sanctions, the US government has fall short of its intention to help rebuild the South Sudanese economy which has been ruined by the civil war which ended in 2020.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of South Sudan takes this opportunity to renew its appreciation to our development partners, helping us rebuild our institutions damaged by the 2013 and 2016 conflicts,” the statement seen by Sudans Post reads in part.
“Regrettably, the unfortunate decision of the United States Government to impose additional sanctions on two South Sudanese companies runs counter to such a spirit of constructive engagement and falls short of its intention to strengthen our government institutions. We, therefore, recommend those policymakers reflect critically on how they have made such a decision,” the statement added.
The statement argued that imposition of more sanctions by the US government is misguided and has far-reaching implications on the development of the world’s youngest country.
“After South Sudan’s recent civil conflicts, the so-called Experts on South Sudan based in United States have been continuously lobbying for counterproductive sanctions against South Sudan. Such misguided cynicism risks causing undesirable hiccups in our improving bilateral relations with America,” the statement said
“Decisions to impose sanctions on African countries have far-reaching implications for America’s relations with the Continent. In South Sudan, sanctions weaken rather than reinforce our reform agenda. Enlightened United States policymakers can make more rational decisions and exercise greater discretion. Despite the difficulties, we urge them to join others internationally standing with South Sudan as we incrementally build more vital institutions to deliver peace, stability, and development to our people,” the statement added.
It further said “Casting sovereign African states as children punishable through sanctions is a self-defeating form of paternalism that has no place in the advanced world. Leadership internationally will more and more accrue to those countries that uphold the principles of respect and cooperation amongst sovereign states.”
“We encourage United States to cease its preoccupation with sanctions and choose this more noble path of constructive engagement to strengthen our institutions towards consolidating peace, security, and stability for the country.”
