U.S. sanctions Sudan - U.S. lift sanctions on the country, calls for transparency .The United States' Ambassador to South Sudan, Susan D. Page, has said that her government in the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control has lifted sanctions imposed on the country and called on the government of South Sudan to ensure good governance and transparency. She was speaking at a press conference in the ministry of information and broadcasting of the Government of South Sudan yesterday. This comes on the 8th of this month at the conference held in the states when the Office of Foreign Assets Control relieved the South from the sanction.

"Sanction for doing business with South Sudan is now remove. You can move in equipment that will develop oil". She said.

Page made the briefing in regards to the recent conference that was held in the United States as sponsored by US, UK, Norway African Union, World Bank and IFC among others and attended by the president of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit among others. The United States imposed sanctions against Sudan in 1997 accusing Khartoum of supporting terrorists.

South Sudan was not exceptional since the Sudan and South Sudan were once one country before its split in 2011. She further said that the office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), has allowed U.S. companies to freely export equipment for use in South Sudan's oil sector.

At the conference, though many issues were raised and discussed, Page said that her country intended to open opportunities for South Sudan especially to the international communities.

On the other hand, she said that her country is committed to ensuring good governance and transparency in South Sudan adding that they are providing forms to all public servants to fill in all their holdings for accountability and transparency. "We are looking forward to hold every one accountable not only South Sudan but also other countries." She said.

According to her, they are working with journalists and civil society to check the level of the transparency in South Sudan.

The report of the auditor general, Stephen Wondu, showed that a lot of money had been embezzled by the year 2005 and 2006, but the U.S ambassador to South Sudan gave hope citing that her government together with the United Nations to ensure the recovery of the resources that are said to have been misused.

Misuk Moses Mule

The Citizen/22/11/2011