South Sudan diplomatic ties with U.S. remain intact despite differences, says Foreign Minister
Author: Wol Mapal | Published: 18 hours ago
South Sudan and US and South Sudan flags – courtesy
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation says diplomatic relations between South Sudan and the United States remain intact despite differences over a number of issues.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Eye Radio on Monday, Foreign Affairs Minister James Pitia Morgan said the continued presence of the Embassy of the United States in Juba demonstrates that the two countries still maintain diplomatic relations.
According to Ambassador Pitia, disagreements between Juba and Washington should not be interpreted as a breakdown in relations, but rather as differences over policy and governance issues.
“The United States Embassy stays still here in Juba, which is a sign that our relationship is still there. There is always disagreement in the engagement of some of the issues that the United States wanted to be done. As a government, we always say these are issues we are addressing because issues are not events; issues are processes,” he said.
The minister cited the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement as one of the areas where South Sudan and the United States have differed.
He said Washington has not supported the peace process in the way the government had expected.
Ambassador Pitia also recalled that the United States declined to serve as a witness during the signing of the peace agreement in Addis Ababa.
“From day one when these peace talks were going on in Addis Ababa, the United States refused even to witness it. There was a place where the United States, China, Japan and other countries were expected to sign as witnesses to the agreement, but the United States refused to witness it,” he said.
Despite these differences, the foreign minister maintained that diplomatic engagement between Juba and Washington continues. He said the two countries remain in contact through established diplomatic channels, even as they hold differing positions on some key issues.