US suspends aid in parts of South Sudan over alleged abuse and theft

The United States government suspended foreign assistance operations in Ayod County, Jonglei State, citing continued abuse, exploitation, and theft of U.S.-funded humanitarian aid by South Sudanese officials.

In a statement issued on January 8, Washington said it is also reviewing its assistance programs in Western Bahr el-Ghazal State and is considering significant reductions if alleged misconduct is not addressed. U.S. officials said the measures underscore America’s resolve to respond decisively when its assistance is misused rather than delivered to vulnerable communities.

“These actions demonstrate U.S. resolve to forcefully respond when South Sudanese officials take advantage of the United States instead of working in partnership with us to help the South Sudanese people,” the statement read.

The suspension follows a series of incidents involving interference with U.S. foreign assistance. On January 2, the Commissioner of Ayod County reportedly detained an aid worker after the individual refused to comply with an illegal demand to surrender assets belonging to a U.S. foreign assistance partner.
In a separate case, authorities said that since November, the Western Bahr el-Ghazal State Minister of Health has blocked the transfer of pharmaceutical supplies between two U.S.-funded partners, despite repeated requests from the transitional government to release the supplies.

The U.S. government said the steps align with a December 11 statement by the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, which called on South Sudan’s transitional government to stop imposing illicit costs on organizations delivering humanitarian aid.

Since South Sudan gained independence in 2011, the United States has provided more than $9.5 billion in foreign assistance, making it one of the country’s largest donors. U.S. officials emphasized that the aid is intended to support life-saving programs and assist the South Sudanese people, not to benefit corrupt individuals.

Washington urged the transitional government to take immediate remedial action, including holding accountable all officials found to have interfered with or imposed illegal costs on U.S.-funded assistance.

“The United States maintains a zero-tolerance policy for theft and diversion of life-saving assistance,” the statement said, warning that further action could follow if the situation does not improve.