This archive report was first published on 8 November 2019.
Published on November 8, 2019, the US expressed disappointment over the failure of South Sudan's leaders to form a power-sharing government, a crucial step in the country's peace process.
Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Tibor Nagy, questioned whether President Salva Kiir and his rival Riek Machar are the right leaders to spearhead the peace process.
The US is considering all options to pressure individuals who would impede peace and promote conflict in the country, Nagy said.
South Sudan's conflict began in 2013, two years after it gained independence, following a rift between President Kiir and his then-deputy, Riek Machar.
Thousands of people have been killed, and over two million displaced, in the ongoing conflict.
A power-sharing agreement was signed in August 2018, but the deadline to set up a new administration was missed, with the two leaders agreeing to delay the formation of a government of national unity by 100 days.
The UN Security Council expressed concern over the lack of progress in implementing key elements of the peace agreement.