Author: James Atem Kuir | Published: 8 hours ago
President Salva Kiir greets US Ambassador Michael J. Adler at the State House during discussions on peace and humanitarian aid.
Photo credit: Office of the President
President Salva Kiir has held talks with the United States Ambassador to South Sudan, Michael J. Adler, focusing on peace implementation and ensuring that humanitarian assistance reaches those in need across the country.
According to a statement from the Office of the President, Ambassador Adler urged the South Sudanese government to maintain peace and provide services to the population.
The meeting comes a day after the US envoy called on the government to hold officials at all levels accountable for interfering with humanitarian aid. The call followed Ambassador Adler’s meeting with President Kiir’s senior advisor, Kuol Manyang Juuk.
The discussions followed the suspension of US humanitarian assistance in Ayod County, Jonglei State, on January 8, 2026. The US Embassy has also announced a review of assistance in Western Bahr el Ghazal State over similar concerns.
The move came after a December 11, 2025, statement by the US Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs, urging the transitional government to stop imposing illicit costs on those trying to assist the South Sudanese people.
The statement said the action is due to continued abuse, exploitation, and theft targeting US foreign assistance by South Sudanese officials at national, state, and county levels.
The US government is one of the major donors supporting humanitarian aid in South Sudan, having provided over $9.5 billion in foreign assistance since the country’s independence in 2011.
