The United States has issued its strongest warning yet to South Sudan, signalling a sweeping review of all aid and assistance to the country over what it describes as persistent governance failures and lack of progress since independence.
Washington’s concerns centre on the stark gap between South Sudan’s vast oil earnings and the bleak state of public services. Since 2011, the U.S. has provided over US$9.5 billion in assistance, while the South Sudanese government has earned an estimated US$25 billion in oil revenue. Yet basic services, from healthcare and education to infrastructure, remain severely underdeveloped.
U.S. officials say they are frustrated by years of corruption allegations, stalled reforms, and continued political instability. The review could reshape humanitarian and development support to the world’s youngest nation, which is already struggling with conflict, food insecurity, and displacement.
Diplomatic pressure is expected to intensify as Washington pushes Juba to demonstrate measurable improvements in governance, transparency, and the delivery of essential services to its citizens.
