The US has continued to show its frustration in virtually all its dealings with African nations. It is on record that since African countries overwhelmingly voted against President Donald Trump’s policy on Jerusalem, the attitude of the White House towards the continent and its affairs changed for the worse.
Even bilateral relations that used to be cordial have not only developed big cracks but are crumbling all together. Take the latest case, US-South Sudan ties. The US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, says Washington is giving up on South Sudan’s President, Salva Kiir, after investing over $11 billion since the country’s independence in 2011.
Last weekend, Ms. Haley called him “an unfit partner” of the US in the pursuit of peace and has urged an arms embargo on the conflict-ridden nation. She cited President Kiir’s failures to adhere to a December 21 cease-fire and allow unhindered aid to millions in need as well as his promotion of three Army generals under UN sanctions for leading what she referred to as “the slaughter” of civilians.
In a hard-hitting speech to the Security Council, Haley said last Friday that attempts to ease the suffering of South Sudan’s people are failing “not despite the leadership of South Sudan, but because of it.”
The White House had earlier accused South Sudan’s leaders of “not just failing their people” but “betraying them.” President Trump specifically mentioned South Sudan as one of the African countries that ought not to have voted against his announced policy of recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish State of Israel. He warned that the US would have no choice than to review its ties with South Sudan.
