U.S. Ambassador to South Sudan Michael J. Adler. (Courtesy)

The United States has urged South Sudan’s government to hold officials at all levels accountable for interfering with humanitarian assistance, following the suspension of aid in parts of the country last week.

US Ambassador to South Sudan, Michael J. Adler, made the call after meeting Senior Presidential Adviser Kuol Manyang Juuk on Tuesday.

The meeting focused on concerns over the delivery of aid and challenges facing humanitarian agencies operating in the country.

Ambassador Adler confirmed the suspension of US aid in Ayod County of Jonglei State and said a review of assistance in Western Bahr el Ghazal State is ongoing.

Speaking on the state-owned TV, SSBC, last evening, he said the US government is calling on the transitional government to ensure that aid reaches those in need without obstruction.

“We have suspended US assistance in Ayod County, Jonglei state and are reviewing our assistance in western Bahr el Ghazal state. We call on the transitional government to hold officials at all levels who interfere with assistance accountable. Now exploring the country’s security situation,” Adler said.

Speaking after the meeting, Kuol Manyang Juuk said Ambassador Adler had raised concerns about non-accountability, corruption, and theft of relief supplies in South Sudan.

Juuk said he reassured the ambassador of the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges facing humanitarian agencies.

“He (Michael J. Adler) expressed the concerns of the American government on the state of affairs in South Sudan about the non-accountability, the corruption, the theft of relief properties, done by who and who, the government must hold these people accountable. I have told him that of the concern of America and we are trying our level best,” Kuol said.