“We are fed up, the time has come to take serious action,” says U.S. Embassy official

The U.S government says Washington’s review of its assistance programs to South Sudan is to put pressure on the South Sudan government to reach a peace deal.

Mark Weinberg, a Public Affairs Officer in the US Embassy in Juba in an exclusive interview with Radio Miraya said
the comprehensive review that was announced on Wednesday, covers several areas including support to the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) and the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM), as well as other areas that are yet to be announced.

Mr. Weinberg said the United States is committed to supporting the people of South Sudan.

“We are very much committed to continue to saving lives,” said Weinberg, adding that “We also need to make sure that our assistance funding while saving lives here does not also benefit and support a predatory regime and prolong the conflict.”

The government in a statement accused the United States of interfering in the internal affairs of a sovereign state.  This was in reference to the US government’s concerns about planned elections and continued military offensives.

In response, Public Affairs Officer Mark Weinberg said his government acknowledges the relationship between the two countries.

Mr. Weinberg spoke to Philip Wani in this 5” interview.