US loses confidence in South Sudan’s leaders – US diplomat

December 18, 2019 Newsbeat, USA

Kelly Craft, The United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations meets South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit at the State House during a UN visit to South Sudan (Photo: Supplied)

December 18th, 2019 (SSNN)-The United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Kelly Craft, said at a high-level United Nations press conference on South Sudan on Tuesday that the United States is running out of patience and losing confidence in South Sudan’s leaders due to their unwilling to implement peace.

Craft, remarked that South Sudan’s leaders bear the responsibility to unit their people and steer their country towards peace and stability.

“As I have said before, this month is about clear-eyed assessment of Council portfolios. So let me be clear: the United States and the international community are losing confidence that South Sudan’s leaders have the will to guide their country to genuine peace and security. We are losing confidence that they share the best interests of their people, who are calling for peace amid a devastating, conflict-induced humanitarian crisis.”

“This Council visited Juba to support implementation of the peace agreement. But South Sudan’s leaders blamed each other for hindering progress, and failed to publicly affirm their commitment to the ceasefire. The parties agreed to extend – again – the pre-transitional phase of the peace agreement. But in the month since, progress has been limited.”

South Sudan’s government and the Trump administration have been in diplomatic row since November.

Last month, the United States recalled its Ambassador to South Sudan after the two leaders failed to agree on the formation of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity on November 12th.

The United States is gravely concerned about reports of forced recruitment by the armed forces on both sides.

“While the parties have committed to security arrangements and the unification of the military, there are credible reports of recruitment by the government and opposition. Civilian buildings remain occupied, primarily by government forces.”