A young man describes the experience of his journey from South Sudan in
the Kule refugee camp near the Pagak Border Entry point in the Gambela
Region of Ethiopia, on April 2, 2014, during a visit of the head of the
UNHCR and the Executive Director of the United Nations World Food
Programme (WFP). President Barack Obama April 3 warned the South Sudan
government and rebel leaders that they may be slapped with US sanctions
if they fail to make peace. AFP PHOTO / Zacharias Abubeker
By KEVIN J. KELLEY
In Summary
- Mr Obama's warning reflects US frustration and disappointment over the breakdown of a state that Washington helped lead toward independence.
- US officials indicated on Thursday that the European Union and the UN Security Council are considering action similar to that taken by Mr Obama.
President Barack Obama on Thursday warned the
South Sudan government and rebel leaders that they may be slapped with
US sanctions if they fail to make peace.
Mr Obama signed an executive order clearing the
way for possible bans on travel to the US and financial penalties for
South Sudanese who continue to stoke violence.
A White House statement said the president's
action “sends a clear message: Those who threaten the peace, security,
or stability of South Sudan, obstruct the peace process, target UN
peacekeepers, or are responsible for human rights abuses and atrocities
will not have a friend in the United States and run the risk of
sanctions.”
“Both the government of South Sudan and Riek
Machar’s rebels must immediately engage in and follow through on the
inclusive peace process led by the Intergovernmental Authority on
Development and resolve this conflict,” the White House added.
“The people of South Sudan are calling for peace. There is no room for excuses or delay.”
Mr Obama's warning reflects US frustration and
disappointment over the breakdown of a state that Washington helped lead
toward independence.
The US has provided hundreds of millions of
dollars in aid to South Sudan in the four years since its people voted
to establish a nation.
South Sudanese “expected their leaders to act with
courage and conviction, to put the interests of the people first, and
to be statesmen, not strongmen,” the White House declared.
“The United States will not stand by as those
entrusted with South Sudan’s future put their own interests above those
of their people.”
US officials indicated on Thursday that the
European Union and the UN Security Council are considering action
similar to that taken by Mr Obama.
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