South Sudan has condemned a US decision to revoke visas for all its citizens, calling the move “unfair” and blaming it on a case of mistaken nationality involving a different African national.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Saturday that the United States would cancel visas for South Sudanese nationals, citing the government’s failure to accept the timely return of its citizens facing deportation.
However, South Sudan’s Foreign Ministry responded Monday, saying the individual at the center of the dispute was later confirmed to be a Congolese citizen. The person was sent back to the US, and evidence supporting this was shared with American authorities, the ministry said.
In a statement, the government expressed regret over what it called an “unjust” decision, particularly given South Sudan’s record of cooperation with the US. “South Sudan now faces a sweeping visa revocation based on an isolated incident involving someone who is not a South Sudanese citizen,” it said.
Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth told the Associated Press that the US appeared to be “looking for faults” amid rising tensions in South Sudan, arguing that no sovereign nation would accept deportees who were not their nationals.
The situation comes as South Sudan grapples with mounting instability. The United Nations recently warned that the country is on the verge of renewed civil conflict. Vice President and opposition leader Riek Machar remains under house arrest, accused of inciting violence after forces loyal to him attacked a military camp and a UN helicopter.
It remains unclear how many South Sudanese nationals currently hold US visas.
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said the dispute involves one individual certified by South Sudan’s embassy in Washington but whom Juba has refused to accept. The person’s identity has not been publicly disclosed.
The US government stated no new visas will be issued to South Sudanese citizens until full cooperation is restored.