The United States has announced the immediate revocation of all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders, citing South Sudan’s failure to cooperate in the repatriation of its nationals deemed removable from the U.S.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement on Saturday saying the decision comes after repeated warnings that countries refusing to accept the return of their citizens would face penalties, including visa restrictions.
“Effective immediately, the United States Department of State is revoking all visas issued to South Sudanese passport holders and suspending future issuances,” said Rubio. “We will consider lifting these measures once South Sudan fully cooperates.”
Rubio criticized South Sudan’s transitional government, accusing it of “taking advantage of the United States” and failing to uphold international norms regarding the return of deportees.
The South Sudanese Embassy in Washington has not yet responded to the announcement.
A Tense Time for South Sudan
The visa revocation comes at a tense time for South Sudan, where political instability is once again raising fears of renewed civil conflict. African Union envoys arrived in Juba earlier this week to help defuse tensions following the house arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar.
President Salva Kiir’s government has accused Machar—a former rebel leader during the country’s brutal 2013–2018 civil war—of plotting to incite a new rebellion. The move followed recent clashes in the Upper Nile state between government forces and the White Army militia, with whom Machar’s forces were previously allied. His supporters deny any current ties to the group.
The earlier civil war, which left hundreds of thousands dead, was largely fought along ethnic lines, with President Kiir backed by the Dinka ethnic group and Machar supported by the Nuer.
As diplomatic tensions rise and concerns over civil unrest grow, the U.S. move to enforce immigration rules adds a new layer of pressure on South Sudan’s leadership.