South Sudan stated on Monday that the United States’ decision to revoke all visas for its citizens followed Juba’s refusal to admit a deportee of another nationality.
The U.S. announced on Saturday the cancellation of all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders due to South Sudan’s alleged failure to accept the return of its citizens.
Juba’s foreign ministry explained that the denied individual was from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The ministry reported that during an immigration interview at Juba airport, the deportee claimed he was brought against his will.
“Comprehensive verification processes confirmed that this individual is a national of the Democratic Republic of Congo,” the ministry asserted in a statement.
Consequently, he was not admitted and was returned to the sending country for further processing, according to the ministry.
South Sudan’s government expressed deep regret over the broad visa revocation.
They emphasized a history of collaboration and partnership with the U.S., highlighting that the action was based on an isolated incident involving a non-South Sudanese national’s misrepresentation.
The U.S. under President Trump has intensified immigration enforcement, including the repatriation of individuals deemed to be in the country illegally.
Meanwhile, African Union mediators visited South Sudan last week to mediate and prevent a potential new civil war.
This followed the house arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar, whom President Salva Kiir’s government accuses of attempting to incite a new rebellion after a devastating 2013-18 conflict.