Biden Administration’s Opportunity for Change in South Sudan

As South Sudan continues to struggle with rampant corruption and a repressive regime, the Biden administration is urged to impose network-based sanctions on President Salva Kiir and his associates. This approach offers a viable pathway for accountability and could help dismantle the entrenched kleptocracy undermining democratic aspirations. Rather than relying on the unreliable electoral process, targeted actions would respond to the challenges posed by Kiir’s government.

The Biden administration still possesses an opportunity to effectuate significant change in South Sudan, a nation emerging from a painful history marked by civil war and rampant corruption. With key figures in the administration previously engaged in supporting South Sudan’s formation in 2011, they are now faced with a crisis fueled by President Salva Kiir’s kleptocratic regime, which has continues to delay electoral processes and repress dissent. The administration is urged to consider imposing network-based sanctions targeting Kiir and his enablers to dismantle systemic corruption and promote accountability. Instead of relying on elections—which consistently prove illusory—targeted sanctions could provide a mechanism to weaken Kiir’s grip on power and foster a pathway for legitimate democratic governance in South Sudan.

South Sudan, which achieved independence in 2011, remains entangled in a cycle of corruption and violence exacerbated by leadership rooted in a kleptocratic regime. Despite a peace agreement reached in 2018 intending to institute a democratic framework, President Kiir’s government has consistently sidestepped key provisions aimed at electoral integrity. To this end, the regime’s obstructive maneuvers regarding military unification, judicial reform, and electoral process undermined any substantive progression towards democracy. With civil liberties grossly disregarded, many activists face the aggressive enforcement of pre-existing laws that contravene the country’s constitutional guarantees.

Despite mediators advocating for scheduled elections, Kiir’s actions betray an unwillingness to transfer power. The political structure, deeply entwined with corruption, primarily serves to retain wealth and status among the ruling elite. The pervasive kleptocracy in South Sudan is, thus, not a reflection of a failed state, but rather a state appropriated for private gain—compounding grievances that have historically triggered conflict.

In light of these realities, the U.S. and its partners must pivot from the failed strategy of election dependence to a system of targeted accountability. Implementing network sanctions against Kiir and his associates should be paramount, given their inherited capacity to enrich themselves while leaving South Sudan in turmoil. Existing sanctions have inadequately addressed the power dynamics, often penalizing lesser officials while allowing the regime’s architects to escape ramifications. To effectively dismantle entrenched corruption, sanctions must holistically encompass the power networks underpinning the regime.

Furthermore, collaborative efforts among international bodies such as the Financial Action Task Force and the EU should aim to intensify scrutiny of the nation’s economic dealings while galvanizing support for local governance accountability. Historical evidence suggests that strategic financial measures compel even entrenched leaders to respond; the 2018 peace accord was largely enabled by sustained international pressure. Ultimately, the Biden administration has a critical window to influence a new trajectory for South Sudan – one that holds its leaders accountable and restores hope for its populace.

The political landscape of South Sudan has been characterized by turbulence since its secession from Sudan in 2011. The aspirations for stability and democracy were quickly undermined by the outbreak of civil war in 2013 and subsequent governmental corruption. Despite peace agreements formulated to address these issues, implementation has been ineffective due to the ruling regime’s evasive tactics. The narrative surrounding South Sudan’s governance reveals a complex interplay of historical grievances, economic exploitation, and violent oppression, all managed by elite beneficiaries of the existing power structures. The Biden administration now finds itself with the challenge of addressing these systemic obstacles in a meaningful manner during its concluding tenure.

In conclusion, the Biden administration has an imperative opportunity to redefine South Sudan’s future amidst ongoing corruption and repression under President Salva Kiir’s regime. By shifting focus from ineffective electoral processes to the imposition of network sanctions against the regime, the U.S. can establish a foundation for accountability and potential democratic restoration in South Sudan. Such strategies are essential not only for addressing severe government malfeasance but also for paving the way towards meaningful change for the nation’s citizens.

Original Source: www.justsecurity.org