The national Minister of Information on Saturday condemned relief organizations, UN agencies and anti-government elements for allegedly feeding the international community with negative reports about South Sudan.
Michael Makuei Lueth made the remarks at a press conference to give update on the implementation of the 2018 peace deal, delivery of humanitarian Aid, human rights situation, and the communal violence in the country.
The news conference also responded to the recent renewal of national emergency on South Sudan by the Biden Administration.
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday notified Congress of his intention to extend the national emergency on the world’s youngest nation, saying the situation continues to pose a national security threat to Washington.
“The reports that go to America or to the world at large are reports written by people who are living here in South Sudan. They are reports which are written by NGOs, UN agencies, and by all those who are concerned about South Sudan,” Makuei said.
“The paradox is that the reports that go from here, are always negative and anti-government of South Sudan and this is the most important part in which I am concerned.”
The government spokesperson said he does not blame President Biden or the International Community for their actions against his country, but some anti-government elements living in South Sudan.
“What I can say is that president Biden and all the others are not to blame for whatever action that they take, but it is the people here, those who write the reports here are the ones responsible and misleading the international community.”
Dau on doubting Thomases
On his part, the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Deng Dau Deng said the government of South Sudan will not be distracted in its quest for durable peace.
Dau said the unity government is redoubling efforts to implement R-ARCSS despite what he terms as unhelpful actions by international friends “playing the role of doubting Thomas.”
“As parties to the Revitalized Agreement on resolution of conflict in the Republic of South Sudan continue to redouble efforts to implement the agreement to its logical conclusion,” he said.
“But some of our friends have continued to play the role of doubting Thomases by occasionally darkening our spirit through unhelpful actions such as renewal of sanctions and arms embargo,
“Unjust rights condemnation of the Human Rights Council and just recently through the renewal of what the United States government calls Notice on the continuation of national emergency with respect to South Sudan.”
