Risch on South Sudan’s 11th Independence Anniversary

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement marking the 11th anniversary of South Sudan’s independence on July 9, 2022:

“As South Sudan enters its eleventh year of independence, the United States remains a steadfast partner to the South Sudanese people in their journey toward achieving sustainable peace, prosperity, and democracy. South Sudan’s leaders, however, remain the country’s greatest barrier to realizing its aspirations as they continue to rule without elected democratic legitimacy.

“While the United States is deeply invested in helping the world’s youngest nation succeed, we must be careful that our assistance is being used to support the people of South Sudan and not to perpetuate the status quo or further the corrupt and selfish behavior of its leaders. The Biden Administration must listen to Congress and prioritize developing a clear South Sudan policy, conduct a serious review of U.S. support to the country, and match our investment in assistance with serious diplomatic engagement.”

Background:

On December 9, 2021, the U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan resolution, S. Res. 380, reiterating U.S. support for the people of South Sudan in their quest for lasting peace, stability, and democracy, and calling for a review of U.S. policy toward South Sudan. The resolution, led by Ranking Member Risch and Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), followed the 10th anniversary of South Sudan’s independence.

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