JUBA, South Sudan– South Sudan has agreed to admit a man deported by the United States, ending a tense diplomatic standoff that saw Washington revoke all visas for South Sudanese citizens.
The decision, announced Tuesday by South Sudan’s foreign ministry, came just days after Juba had refused entry to Makula Kintu, insisting he was Congolese—not South Sudanese, as U.S. authorities claimed.
The government cited “friendly relations” with the U.S. for the about-face, instructing Juba International Airport to facilitate Kintu’s arrival “as early as tomorrow.”
The dispute began when Kintu was twice denied entry upon deportation from the U.S. on April 5 and 6.
In response, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sweeping retaliatory measures, including the cancellation of all visas for South Sudanese passport holders and an immediate entry ban.
“It is time for South Sudan’s government to stop taking advantage of the United States,” Rubio declared. “Every country must accept the return of its citizens when another nation seeks to remove them.”
Kintu’s deportation stemmed from the Trump-era immigration policy targeting unlawful migrants.
South Sudanese in the U.S. had previously been shielded by Temporary Protected Status (TPS), set to expire May 3.
Juba initially argued that Kintu’s nationality was misrepresented, calling the U.S. response an overreaction to “an isolated incident involving an individual who is not a South Sudanese national.”
But Rubio remained firm, stating visa restrictions would only be reviewed once South Sudan cooperated fully.
The foreign ministry’s latest statement struck a conciliatory tone, pledging to assist in the return of “verified South Sudanese nationals” from the U.S.
