Story highlights Haley said she presented Kiir with a "tough list" of changes the United States expects to see implemented going forward

Haley is the first Cabinet-level official in the Trump administration to visit sub-Saharan Africa

Juba, South Sudan (CNN) US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley issued a stern warning to South Sudan's president on Wednesday, telling him "the hate and the violence that we are seeing has to stop," or the United States will reconsider its financial support for the country.

"I let him know the US is at a crossroads," Haley told reporters after her meeting with President Salva Kiir, "and every decision going forward was going to based on his actions."

South Sudan is the world's youngest country, having gained independence from Sudan in 2011. But despite high hopes and significant international support, the sub-Saharan African nation has been embroiled in a violent civil conflict for nearly its entire existence.

For several years, soldiers loyal to Kiir have clashed with forces loyal to his ousted vice president, Riek Machar, displacing millions of civilians. The two groups are largely split along ethnic lines.

"I told him that he couldn't deny the stories of his military, whether it was with violence, or with rape or child soldiers," Haley said of the meeting.

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