US Recall Its Ambassador To South Sudan Back To Washington

The U.S. has ordered its ambassador to South Sudan Thomas Hushek back to Washington for consultations as Washington re-evaluates its relationship with the country after delays in implementing a fragile peace deal.

The unusual public U.S. State Department statement was contained in a tweet Monday by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. This is a sign of his country’s frustration with the failure of South Sudan rivals to meet this month’s deadline to form a coalition government and end bloodshed.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Dr Riek Machar agreed to postpone that key step for 100 days. They had faced a November 12 deadline but said security and governance issues needed to be resolved before a coalition government can be formed.

The U.S. said that the delay “calls into question their suitability to continue to lead the nation’s peace process.”