U.S issues advisory on risks of doing business in South Sudan

WASHINGTON, US

The United States government has issued a business advisory for South Sudan urging its businesses and citizens in the region to undertake robust due diligence on corruption and human rights abuses.

The latest business advisory from the U.S State Department was issued on Monday.

“The advisory highlights the growing reputational, financial, and legal risks to U.S. businesses and Americans conducting business or transactions with companies that have significant ties to South Sudan’s extended transitional government or that are controlled by family members of government officials,” it reads in part.

The advisory highlights the growing reputational, financial, and legal risks to U.S. businesses and Americans conducting business or transactions with companies that have significant ties to South Sudan’s extended transitional government or that are controlled by family members of government officials.

The U.S said the South Sudanese government has failed to implement key economic reforms and public financial management commitments made in the September 2018 peace agreement, which were due to be completed by February 2023.

“The transitional government’s lack of progress on these reforms, the absence of significant progress over the original transition period, and the transitional government’s continued failure to adhere to its own laws in the transparent management of its oil revenue could adversely impact U.S. businesses, individuals, other persons and their operations in South Sudan and the region,” the advisory said.

The Biden administration, in its business advisory, further urged U.S citizens to be cautious to avoid all dealings, including transactions transiting the United States, that involve any property or interests in property of persons, including from South Sudan, listed on the Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control’s (OFAC) Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons.