The Minister in the Office of the President is calling upon the United States to support South Sudan in resolving the 4 month crisis.

Awan Guol Riak, who is currently touring the United States as President Salva Kiir’s Special Envoy, met with officials from the USAID, the U.S State Department and civil society on Monday for discussions on the ongoing peace process and other challenges facing the country.

Last week, U.S President Barrack Obama signed an order clearing the way for possible sanctions against individuals believed to be obstructing the peace process in South Sudan.

The sanctions would target those in the government, in the SPLM-in Opposition and anyone hindering the peace process.

However, Mr Awan Guol said the U.S should instead encourage the parties to resolve the crisis.

He said the government is committed to the peace dialogue in Addis Ababa.

Mr. Guol was speaking during a conference organized by the Center for Strategic & International Studies in the U.S, under the theme; “Prospects for Peace in South Sudan.”

“There is a need for the U.S as the midwife of the birth of South Sudan not to abandon us at this time,” and says it is punishing. And if there is anything we need most, it is the support –not just punishing us,” he said.

“If we say we don’t need talks, well and good, they will say ‘these people are destructing and they are allowing this conflict to spill also to the region’, but we are committed.

“We’re convinced the U.S role is known; without it, there is no country call South Sudan. So we always look forward to improve our relations with the U.S government and the people on our issues, and there is a need to continue with that support, until we put our feet on the ground –solid.”

Mr Awan said the government is committed to organizing an inclusive national dialogue which will include all stakeholders in the country.

He said the conference would focus on issues of governance and reconciliation.

“It will be a general responsibility for all of us. So I believe in that conference, it will be successful, because it will be about views that we think of how we can govern ourselves.”

Awan Guol called on the United States, United Kingdom and other western countries to support the government in realizing peace and stability in South Sudan.

On Monday, the U.S Ambassador to South Sudan, Susan Page told Eye Radio that the executive order signed by Obama, grants authority to the U.S Department of Treasury and U.S State Department to identify those who will likely face sanctions.