Credit:  ss.usembassy.gov /  Thomas Hushek,  U.S. Ambassador to South Sudan

By Gary Raynaldo   DIPLOMATIC TIMES

The United States is calling back its ambassador to South Sudan Thomas Husek for consultations regarding its relations with the divided government of the Northeast African nation, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrote on Twitter Monday.  The recall is related to political leaders in S. Sudan failure to establish a unity government, according to the Department of State. 

“We will work with the region to support efforts to achieve peace and a successful political transition in South Sudan.” 

-U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

United States “Gravely Disappointed” With Failure To Form Unity Government

Credit: eg.usembassy.gov /  Morgan Ortagus,   U.S. State Department Spokesperson

The U.S. had already indicated it will be reevaluate its relationship with the Government of South Sudan over the failure of the warring parties to establish the promised unity command the stated deadline this month.  “The United States is gravely disappointed with the failure of President Salva Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar to agree on the formation of a Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity by the established deadline of November 12,” Morgan Ortagus, Department Spokesperson said in a statement the day after the deadline expired.   “Their inability to achieve this basic demonstration of political will for the people of South Sudan calls into question their suitability to continue to lead the nation’s peace process.  In light of this development, the United States will reevaluate its relationship with the Government of South Sudan.”

While in Washington, Ambassador Hushek will meet with senior U.S. government officials as part of the re-assessment of the American  relationship with the Juba Government  given the latest development, Ortagus said.

Since civil war broke out in South Sudan in December 2013, more than 50,000 people have been killed—possibly as many as 383,000, according to estimates.  Peace agreements have been signed over the course of the war — the most recent in September 2018 — but they have been repeatedly violated.  Last year,  there was an increase in regional and international pressure on President Salva Kiir and opposition leader and former Vice President Riek Machar to reach an agreement to end the conflict, including targeted sanctions from the United States and a UN arms embargo.