Displaced civilians await relief food distribution in Pibor | File photo

The Obama administration should stop providing assistance to the government of South Sudan until Juba stops committing human right abuses in Jonglei state, a human rights advocacy group has said.

Washington-based Refugees International has said in a report, that the SPLA are responsible for widespread human rights violations in Pibor County and for the denial of humanitarian access to civilians.

The UN has said that tens of thousands of people in Pibor County have been internally displaced since the beginning of the government military offensive launched against the rebel group loyal to David Yau Yau in February.

Tens of thousands others have sought refuge in the neighboring countries.

Refugees International says that President Kiir’s government has done little to intervene in the alleged violations of human rights by the national army in Pibor County.

The report says that “the U.S. government should withhold a portion of its foreign assistance to South Sudan until it certifies that Juba has made progress toward halting stopping human rights abuses in Jonglei.”

The Obama administration is yet to respond to the call.

The US is the largest bilateral donor to South Sudan.

Through its humanitarian arm, USAID, the United States supports projects including – education, health, governance and media.

This week, it said it will provide $700 million dollars for boosting health sector in the country.