United States Alarmed by South Sudan refusal to pay Health workers
The United States’ Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Tibor Nagy,
May 22, 2020(SSNN) — Briefing the international media on US response to combating COVID-19 in Sub-Saharan Africa, the US Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Tibor Peter Nagy, said South Sudan is not helping the efforts to combat the global pandemic by failing to pay the salaries of health workers.
Hon. Nagy was responding to a journalist, Carol, who states that “there are reports that government health workers have not been paid in four months and at the same time Riek Machar, who is the head of the COVID task force, has tested positive and he is supposed to have $3 million his hands on somehow, but he has not paid them.”
According to Nagy, the United States is constantly engaging South Sudan’s non-functioning Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity through her embassy in South Sudan.
Shortly before addressing the media, Tibor Peter Nagy had spoken to South Sudan foreign affairs minister and covered a variety of topics.
“South Sudan – interesting you mention that – just this morning, just like an hour before talking to you guys, I had a conversation with the South Sudanese foreign minister on a whole range of issues.” Nagy said.
“One of them has to do with obviously the COVID-19.” He further clarified.
In addition to his personal efforts, Nagy believes that the Embassy is closely monitoring the situation in South Sudan.
“Our embassy there is also keeping very close track, engaging with them on a daily basis.” Nagy said,
Among other concerns, Nagy believes that the United States is also concerned over the recent fighting in the Equatorian region and that was one of the topics he discussed with the South Sudanese Foreign Affairs minister.
“My conversation obviously was more than COVID because we’re also very concerned with some events going on there, whether it’s resumed fighting in Equatoria, access of humanitarian organizations to potential refugees, internal migrants who – where COVID might be springing up.” Nagy added.
The United States is also aware that the First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar, and wife, Hon. Angelina Teny, are battling coronavirus but he has no clue whether or not Machar had some three millions US Dollar in his possession to pay the country’s striking health workers.
“And yes, our information is that both Senior Vice President Riek Machar and his wife, who is the defense minister, are both suffering from COVID-19.” Nagy reiterates
“I don’t have any details on any possible $3 million, but obviously our embassy is very engaged in discussing with them on how best to move forward, and not paying workers certainly is not helping in that effort.” Nagy continued.
The United States has contributed more than $21 millions US dollars to South Sudan over the recent months, however, these contributions are given to humanitarian aid agencies as opposed to the government of South Sudan.
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