US Senate Chamber. (Courtesy).

Four U.S. senators are calling on the Biden administration to consider renewing and imposing additional sanctions and other accountability measures against senior officials in the South Sudan government.

The four senators are Chris Van Hollen, Benjamin L. Cardin, Cory A. Booker, and Christopher A. Coons.

In May 2022, a U.S. senator called on the American government to advocate with other UN member states for redoubled efforts to renew and reinforce the arms embargo and other sanctions on South Sudan.

“We reiterate the call by the senate, made through the unanimous passage of S.Res.473 on May 11, 2022, for the U.S. to advocate with other UN member states to redouble efforts to renew and enforce the UN arms embargo and other sanctions, which are set to expire on May 31, 2023,” the lawmakers said in the statement.

The letter addressed to U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen, and U.S. Ambassador to the UN, the senators called for a crackdown on human rights violators in South Sudan.

“We also urge the administration to consider whether additional sanctions and other accountability measures on senior officials in the South Sudanese government, military, and national security service, or individuals and actors in the region, who enable corruption and the perpetuation of conflict in South Sudan, could contribute to the pursuit of these goals.”

They also said the U.S. government should crack down on public officials who abuse their positions for private gain.

The U.S. lawmakers said the expected renewal of the UNMISS mandate this month provides an opportunity to review U.S. and multilateral policy toward South Sudan and consider changes intended to accelerate progress toward free and fair elections.

According to the senators, the U.S., alongside partners in the international community, must be clear about realistic expectations and benchmarks for drafting a permanent constitution, and the credible conduct of elections.