The United States of America has announced visa restrictions on members of South Sudan’s transitional government over allegations of damaging peace efforts, corruption and worsening political instability in the country.

In a statement on Tuesday, the U.S. accused senior officials of obstructing the implementation of the 2018 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), the fragile peace deal meant to end years of civil war.

The U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the restrictions were imposed under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, a U.S. law that allows Washington to deny visas to foreign nationals whose actions are considered harmful to America’s foreign policy interests.

“The United States will continue to stand with the South Sudanese people, who want to live in peace and dignity,” the statement added.

The U.S. also accused corrupt officials and entities, including Crawford Capital, Ltd., of siphoning money from the country’s treasury and misusing foreign aid.

It further alleged that the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces, controlled by President Salva Kiir Mayardit, carried out military operations in northern Jonglei State that displaced about 300,000 people and increased the risk of famine in the country.

Federal authorities also cited reports of human rights abuses and ethnically motivated killings targeting members of the Nuer community.

Over the years, South Sudan has struggled with persistent instability since gaining independence in 2011. 

The country witnessed civil war in 2013 following a political dispute between President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar. 

In 2018, a peace agreement was signed, but its implementation remained slow due to political tensions and recurring violence in the country. 

The latest sanctions are expected to increase pressure on South Sudan’s government as the country continues to battle insecurity, economic hardship and a fragile peace process.