US President renews national emergency on South Sudan

WASHINGTON  – U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday extended the national emergency on South Sudan for another year, citing continued threat being posed by the world’s youngest country to the United States.

The emergency was first declared by former U.S. President, Barrack Obama in 2014, a few months after the eruption of conflict in Juba, and has since been extended each year.

“The situation in and in relation to South Sudan, which has been marked by activities that threaten the peace, security, or stability of South Sudan and the surrounding region, including widespread violence and atrocities, human rights abuses, recruitment and use of child soldiers, attacks on peacekeepers and humanitarian workers, and obstruction of humanitarian operations, continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States,” reads the statement by Biden.

“In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13664 of April 3, 2014, with respect to South Sudan is to continue in effect beyond April 3, 2021,” the US leader said.

The extension ensures that the transfer of assets, in the form of property or interests would be blocked for some individuals whose actions are considered to threaten peace in South Sudan.

The measure would also affect those who threaten transitional agreements, expand conflict, commit human rights violations, and target women and children.

It also included those who recruit and use child soldiers, attack peacekeepers and aid workers, and those who help donate to such activities.