South Sudan Denies US Visa Ban Claims, Cites Misunderstanding Over Citizenship

South Sudan's government has responded to the US visa ban imposed on all its citizens, stressing that it stems from a misunderstanding regarding a deportation incident involving a Congolese national.

In a statement that followed the announcement by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, South Sudan's foreign ministry clarified that the individual involved in the visa controversy is not from South Sudan, but from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The US initiated the blanket visa ban citing South Sudan's noncompliance in accepting its deported citizens. South Sudan condemned the measure, emphasizing that the decision was based on a misrepresentation.

This action marks an unprecedented step by the US towards targeting citizens of an entire nation since the Trump administration’s emphasis on strict immigration policies. Rubio pointed out that the US would also restrict entry for South Sudanese citizens at airports. He expressed willingness to reassess the ban if South Sudan cooperates to resolve the repatriation issue.

South Sudan's Information Minister, Michael Makuei Lueth, lamented the situation, suggesting the US appeared to be politicizing the challenges within Sudan. The tensions are exacerbated by rising fears of renewed civil war, especially following the house arrest of First Vice-President Riek Machar, accused by President Salva Kiir of inciting rebellion. The recent political turmoil comes against the backdrop of a fragile peace deal that ended a five-year civil war.

As the US navigates its diplomatic relations, the situation remains precarious, with previous protections for South Sudanese in America, such as Temporary Protected Status, approaching expiry, thus further complicating the matter.

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