JUBA – South Sudan’s civil society watchdog, Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), welcomed the recent U.S. decision to impose visa restrictions on government officials obstructing humanitarian aid delivery. The U.S. Department of State announced on Friday that it had imposed visa restrictions against South Sudanese officials accused of impeding the delivery of humanitarian assistance and engaging in corruption and human rights abuses.
This decision follows growing international concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in South Sudan and the government’s increasing pressure on humanitarian organizations, including taxation and unlawful arrests.
CEPO Executive Director Edmund Yakani expressed strong support for the U.S. action in a statement to the Sudan Post, saying the sanctions target individuals responsible for human rights violations and obstructing humanitarian aid. “The U.S. act on visa restrictions is right and welcomed since it targets the actions of government officials that violate human rights and international humanitarian law,” Yakani said. He emphasized the need for the government to take these measures seriously and work to uphold human rights standards.
Yakani also underscored the importance of these sanctions as a tool to pressure the government into respecting human rights and international humanitarian law. “These visa restrictions are practical options for creating pressure for the respect of human rights and international humanitarian law, including the growth of democracy,” he added.
He further urged the South Sudanese government to take immediate steps to facilitate a genuine political transition that enhances respect for democratic governance, transparency, and accountability. “The opportunity for delivering genuine political transitional processes is imminent and achievable if political commitment is demonstrated,” Yakani stressed.
CEPO also called on the government to take actions that could lead to the lifting of the U.S. visa restrictions, viewing this as a crucial moment for South Sudan to demonstrate its commitment to human rights and democratic principles.
