Washington Raises the Alarm
In a stern communiqué, the U.S. State Department signaled that South Sudan’s transitional authorities are jeopardising a decade-long aid partnership through what it termed ‘egregious violations’ of international commitments.
Washington warned that, unless the alleged practices cease immediately, a sweeping review could slash assistance programmes that have channelled more than nine billion dollars to the world’s newest nation since independence in 2011.
Alleged Fees and Blockades
Aid agencies report facing fresh levies on relief consignments, rising travel costs and procedural delays at checkpoints, factors that they say slow emergency deliveries just as hunger and displacement rise across flood-hit and conflict-affected counties.
The same statement accused officials of interfering with UN peacekeepers’ freedom of movement, a claim echoed by several humanitarian coordinators who describe sporadic detentions, convoy reroutings and opaque administrative demands.
Billions in Oil, Questioned Spending
South Sudan is estimated to have earned twenty-five billion dollars in oil revenue over the same period, yet critics argue the funds rarely reach classrooms, clinics or unpaid civil servants, deepening perceptions of elite capture and rent-seeking.
Next Steps and Regional Watchers
U.S. diplomats insist the review targets governance lapses, not ordinary citizens, and stress that lifesaving projects could be exempted if Juba moves to lift barriers and account publicly for state revenues.
Regional analysts note that a significant cut might reshape power dynamics among other donors, some of whom increasingly expect South Sudan to finance essential services from its own budget rather than rely on external rescues.
Government and UN Responses
Officials in Juba have yet to issue a detailed rebuttal, though a spokesperson recently maintained that fees are lawful and help cover administrative costs related to border management and public security.
UN representatives welcome any dialogue that preserves humanitarian space, emphasising that predictable access is critical as more than nine million South Sudanese are projected to need assistance this year amid economic headwinds and climate shocks.