South Sudan Rejects U.S. Criticism, Sanctions Over Peace Deal and Corruption Claims

Foreign Minister James Pitia Morgan (Photo Credit: Alfadil Attiya Abuanja / File)

By: Alfadil Attiya Abuanja

South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday rejected a recent U.S. State Department statement criticising the implementation of the country’s peace agreement, as well as new visa restrictions targeting government officials and sanctions imposed on Crawford Capital Ltd.

Washington accused the company, which operates a digital revenue collection platform in South Sudan, of siphoning funds from the country’s treasury. The firm is reportedly linked to politically connected individuals, including members of President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s family.

The United States did not publicly identify the South Sudanese officials affected by the visa restrictions. Under U.S. law, visa records are generally confidential unless individuals are designated under separate sanctions authorities.

In a statement issued in Juba, the foreign ministry said it had “received with grave concern” remarks made on May 12 by the U.S. State Department regarding the implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), along with the sanctions and visa measures.

The ministry condemned what it described as a mischaracterisation of the peace process and urged Washington and international partners to engage “constructively” with the parties to the agreement in support of elections and democratic transition efforts.

It also dismissed allegations that humanitarian assistance funds had been misappropriated, calling them “recycled and unsubstantiated claims.”

According to the ministry, the visa restrictions would negatively affect ordinary South Sudanese citizens, including students and athletes benefiting from scholarships in the United States, whom it described as among Washington’s longstanding partners and friends.

On the security situation, the ministry defended operations carried out by the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces in northern Jonglei State, saying the military acted in self-defence following attacks by opposition forces and armed youth groups between December 2025 and March 2026.

The government rejected allegations of human rights abuses and ethnic targeting as “unfounded” and lacking credible evidence, insisting that the army exercised restraint and prioritised civilian protection during the operations.

The ministry further disclosed that Foreign Minister James Pitia Morgan had met with U.S. Ambassador Michael J. Adler to discuss bilateral relations and ways to improve cooperation between the two countries.

Juba warned that the U.S. statement risked encouraging armed groups that remain outside the peace process and reiterated President Kiir’s appeal for holdout groups to join the agreement ahead of elections scheduled for December 2026.

The latest measures increase pressure from Washington on South Sudan’s political leadership at a sensitive time for the country, where the 2018 peace agreement that ended a five-year civil war remains only partially implemented.

Long-delayed elections are currently scheduled for Dec. 22, 2026, amid unresolved disputes over security arrangements, power-sharing, and governance structures that continue to raise fears of renewed instability.