JUBA, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan is committed to robust bilateral cooperation with the United States despite the arms embargo imposed by Washington recently, a government official said on Thursday.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Mawien Makol told Xinhua in Juba that the arms embargo will not affect Juba's quest for fruitful cooperation with the U.S.
"We are working on ways to re-organize our mutual relationship with the (Donald) Trump Administration as a way to address some of the concerns affecting two countries' cooperation," Makol said.
Last week, South Sudan recalled its ambassador to the United States, a day after the American government imposed an arms embargo on the strife-torn east African nation.
"South Sudan has been a beneficiary of U.S aid in the last two decades of liberation struggle until today, and so we cannot sever ties with our great partners," Makol said.
He said it is not possible for Juba to trash America's great support at a time the world's youngest nation needs more partners to help her reconstruct from its turmoil and suffering.
Earlier this year, U.S Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said Washington was giving up on President Salva Kiir's administration after investing over 11 billion U.S. dollars since the oil-rich nation gained its independence in 2011, calling him "an unfit partner" in the pursuit of peace.
On Friday last week, Washington announced an arms embargo on South Sudan and urged the United Nations Security Council to enforce a global arms ban on the country.
South Sudan descended into violence in December 2013 after political dispute between President Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar led to fighting between mostly Dinka ethnic soldiers loyal to Kiir against Machar's Nuer ethnic group.
A 2015 peace agreement to end the violence was violated in July 2016 when the rival factions resumed fighting in the capital, forcing Machar to flee into exile.
The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and forced millions of others to seek refuge in neighboring countries.
