Biden rejects meeting with Kiir

WASHINGTON, SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – The United States government has turned down a request by President Salva Kiir Mayardit to meet President Joe Biden during his visit to the United States this week, according to a letter from the Department of State.

South Sudan’s former acting minister of foreign affairs Deng Dau had written to the US government in April and July this year requesting for a meeting between President Kiir and President Biden during Kiir’s visit to the United States.

In a letter dated September 14, 2023, and addressed to South Sudan’s new foreign minister Morgan Pitia, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of African Affairs and Acting Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jonathan Pratt said that President Biden will not be available for a meeting.

“Regarding the former foreign minister’s request for a high-level meeting during President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s visit to Washington, I regret to inform you that President Biden will be unavailable,” the letter seen by Sudans Post reads in part.

It said that the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs and former U.S. Ambassador to South Sudan Molly Phee will instead be available for a meeting with Kiir.

“Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee will be available to receive President Kiir and engage in the frank, candid discussion of all issues of mutual interest and concern that you describe,” the letter said.

“US Ambassador to South Sudan Michael Adler remains available to speak with President Kiir, you, and other senior officials further on issues I have raised in this letter,” it added.

HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD

The letter further went on to reiterate the American support for the people of South Sudan and reaffirmed U.S. stance on the human rights record of the world’s youngest country.

“We have never retreated from the people of South Sudan and continue to support their achieving these goals. Moreover, while the transitional government has failed to address the most basic needs of its citizens, the international community, with the United States in the lead, has provided humanitarian and lifesaving assistance,” it said.

“U.S. support for South Sudan predates your country’s independence by decades and is based on foundational values, including human rights, the accountability of a government to its people, and the obligation of a nation’s leaders to use public revenue transparently to meet the public’s needs,” it added.

It said that the US has “waited more than 12 years to see South Sudan’s transitional leaders demonstrate genuine commitment to these values by making substantive progress in fighting corruption, ending armed conflict, implementing reforms, and improving transparency and public financial management.”

It called on the transitional government to bring human rights violators to justice and carry on activities leading to a free and fair elections at the end of the current transitional period.

“We also look to see the transitional government hold those responsible for sexual and gender based violence as well as other gross violations of human rights. The transitional government must also act with urgency to take steps necessary to hold free, fair, peaceful, and credible elections – now years overdue,” it said.

INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS

South Sudan is suffering from international sanctions imposed largely by the United States and the United Nations.

The State Department letter said that the measures against South Sudan including the arms embargo is a result of problems facing South Sudan and that correcting these problems may improve South Sudan’s international refutation.

“Sanctions, restrictions on foreign assistance, and the arms embargo are responses to longstanding challenges facing the South Sudanese people,” it said.

“Progress toward addressing these challenges and establishing good governance will enhance South Sudan’s international reputation, alleviate the need and misery of many people struggling in the country, help cultivate peace, and create an environment conducive to safe investment in business and development-in South Sudan’s future,” it added.