On Saturday, the United States announced it would revoke all visas held by individuals with South Sudanese passports due to South Sudan’s refusal to accept the return of its repatriated citizens. This decision comes amid growing concerns in Africa that the nation may descend back into civil conflict.
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has implemented stringent immigration enforcement measures, which include the repatriation of individuals identified as being in the U.S. unlawfully.
Officials have cautioned that nations failing to promptly accept their citizens will face repercussions, such as visa restrictions or tariffs.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that South Sudan has not adhered to the principle that every country must accept the timely return of its citizens when another nation, including the U.S., seeks to deport them.
“Effective immediately, the U.S. Department of State is taking steps to revoke all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders and will halt further issuance to prevent their entry into the United States,” Rubio declared.
“We are open to reassessing these measures once South Sudan demonstrates full cooperation,” he added.
Rubio emphasized that it is time for South Sudan’s transitional government to “cease taking advantage of the United States.”
The South Sudanese embassy in Washington did not provide an immediate response to a request for comment.
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This week, African Union mediators arrived in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, to engage in discussions aimed at preventing a resurgence of civil war following the house arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar last week.
President Salva Kiir’s administration has accused Machar, a long-standing adversary who led rebel forces during the 2013-2018 conflict that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands, of attempting to incite a new rebellion.
Machar’s detention came after weeks of clashes in the northern Upper Nile state between the military and the White Army militia. Although Machar’s forces were allied with the White Army during the civil war, they deny any current affiliations.
