South Sudan: 'Blunt Instrument' or 'Good Step?' South Sudanese React to U.S
Sanctions
By Karin Zeitvogel, John Tanza,
10 April 2014
Sanctions authorized last week by President Barack Obama against anyone
found to be fomenting violence in South Sudan or blocking the peace process
were a hot topic at a New York conference held at the weekend on the crisis
in the young country.
South Sudan in Focus attended the conference, organized by Amir Idris, the
chair of the Department of African and African American Studies at Fordham
University, and gathered reactions from South Sudanese expatriates to the
sanctions. The sanctions have not yet been implemented, the U.S. State
Department said on Tuesday.
Here are some of the main comments from attendees at the conference. Add
your own reactions in the comments section below.
"A lot of people suggest that it is about time that world leaders -- from
Europe, from the United States, from Africa -- spoke up against the
absurdity of this war."
Jok Madut Jok
"I feel like our government needed this pressure a long time ago, even
before the December event, because there has been serious corruption going
on, serious negligence to the people."
Sarah Cleto Rial, women's rights activist, program director at My Sister's
Keeper, 2010 recipient of Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award
Sarah Cleto Rial: US targeted sanctions a good step but overdue
"A lot of people suggest that it is about time that world leaders - from
Europe, from the United States, from Africa - spoke up against the absurdity
of this war."
"Perhaps the sanctions will spur the government of Juba to give a more
meaningful commitment to the peace talks. Or, it could drive them towards
rogue behavior or towards alliances with Khartoum, with Bashir, a country
already under U.S. sanctions -- and the sanctions haven't caused it to
collapse, as it was hoped they would do. The lack of historical evidence
that sanctions work might cause... the leaders in Juba to simply turn away,
and in that way, the United States will have denied itself the ability to
exercise the leverage, the clout it has over South Sudan."
- Jok Madut Jok, history professor at Loyola Marymount University,
California; executive director and co-founder of Sudd Institute think tank,
Juba; former undersecretary at South Sudanese Ministry of Culture
Jok Madut Jok comments on US sanctions
"Sanctions are blunt instruments. They are not selective enough to avoid
people for whom they are not intended and hurt people who are innocent. So
the last thing we want is a sanction."
David Bassiouni, career diplomat, businessman
David Bassiouni, Sr. comments on US sanctions against South Sudan
"I think it's going to have an enormous impact on the government and the
opposition. Both of them will begin to rethink their positions and take the
peace talks more seriously. But also it will have an impact on the people of
South Sudan. They reacted positively to the signing of the executive order
by President Obama."
Amir Idris, chair of Department of African and African American Studies,
Fordham University, New York
Fordham University Professor Amir Idris on US targeted sanctions against
South Sudan
"If the sanctions are implemented, I think they will have an impact on the
leaders. The good thing is... (President Obama) didn't order blank sanctions
for the whole of South Sudan. He targeted participants in the current
conflict and those who abused human rights. If they're implemented
effectively, I think they'll work for the better of the majority of South
Sudanese... "
Jane Kani Edwards, Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of African
Immigration Research, Department of African and African American Studies,
Fordham University
Jane Kani Edward on US targeted sanctions
"The sanctions, for ordinary people, it's nothing for them. But for the
officials, those who are in the government, when they see the sanctions,
maybe they will change their minds and work for peace."