The United States (U.S) on Friday, December 20 announced that it was imposing visa restrictions on multiple individuals responsible for the ongoing conflict in South Sudan.

According to the U.S Department of State, these individuals are responsible for, or complicit in, undermining and impeding sustainable peace in South Sudan.

“We note the continued failure of South Sudan’s leaders to use their nation’s resources to the benefit of its people, their failure to end public corruption and elite capture of the country’s resources, their failure to protect the people of South Sudan from abuses and violations of their human rights, including civil and political rights, and their failure to maintain peace,” the State Department said.

The U.S rues that it was hoping to join the people of South Sudan this week in celebrating their country’s first election since the creation of the independent Republic of South Sudan. Unfortunately, the general lections have been pushed to December 2026.

“The United States had hoped to join the people of South Sudan this week in celebrating their country’s first election since the creation of an independent Republic of South Sudan.  Instead, we mark another missed opportunity for the transitional government of South Sudan to bring the cycle of election delays to an end and respect the people of South Sudan,” the U.S adds.

The U.S further pledged allegiance to continue supporting the people of South Sudan and their aspirations to strengthen democracy and the rule of law, and “our ongoing commitment to promote accountability for those failing to maintain peace.”