The United States has suspended foreign assistance to Ayod County in Jonglei State and is reviewing aid to Western Bahr el Ghazal, citing repeated interference, exploitation and theft by South Sudanese officials targeting American-funded programs.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the US Embassy in Juba said the suspension in Ayod County took immediate effect, while assistance to Western Bahr el Ghazal is under review, with possible significant reductions. The move marks a sharp escalation in Washington’s response to what it describes as systematic obstruction and diversion of life-saving aid.
The embassy said the decision followed specific incidents, including the January 2 detention of an aid worker in Ayod County after refusing an illegal demand to hand over assets. Since November, the health minister in Western Bahr el Ghazal has also allegedly blocked the transfer of pharmaceutical supplies between US aid partners.
The United States, which has provided more than $9.5 billion in assistance to South Sudan since independence in 2011, reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy for the diversion of humanitarian aid and called on authorities to hold accountable officials involved in the interference. The embassy warned that the suspension and review could have serious consequences for vulnerable communities heavily dependent on international support.
