Nairobi, Kenya- In a dramatic escalation of diplomatic tensions, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the United States is revoking all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders, accusing the country’s government of failing to cooperate on the repatriation of its citizens.
The move comes amid growing concerns about South Sudan’s stability, including rising violence between government forces and opposition groups, and its broader international implications.
I am taking actions to revoke all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders and to restrict any further issuance to prevent entry into the United States, effective immediately, due to the failure of South Sudan’s transitional government to accept the return of its repatriated
US Takes Strong Action Amid Political Uncertainty
Rubio’s announcement on Saturday marked the first time the US has singled out all passport holders from a particular country for such a measure.
“Every country must accept the return of its citizens in a timely manner when another country, including the United States, seeks to remove them,” Rubio said.
He emphasized that South Sudan’s transitional government had failed to adhere to this principle, leading to the suspension of visas for South Sudanese nationals and the prevention of further visa issuance.
This move follows South Sudan’s temporary protected status (TPS), which had been granted during the Biden administration and is set to expire on May 3.
TPS is a special designation given to citizens of countries experiencing ongoing armed conflict or other extraordinary conditions, preventing them from being deported.
South Sudan’s TPS status was extended under the Biden administration but will end unless the country demonstrates full cooperation with the US on repatriation efforts.
Rubio stated that Washington would review these measures only if South Sudan were to fully cooperate on the issue, highlighting the US government’s resolve to ensure that countries honor their international obligations.
Breaking News — The U.S. has revoked all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders.It has also cancelled all visa appointments, blocked any new visas from being issued, and prohibited anyone from South Sudan from entering the United States.Why?Well, South Sudan’s
Violence and Political Instability in South Sudan
South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, has been plagued by internal conflict and instability. Recent violence, particularly between government troops and armed opposition groups, has escalated tensions, prompting fears of a relapse into civil war.
The conflict, which ravaged the country between 2013 and 2018, claimed over 400,000 lives.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently warned that South Sudan is on the brink of a new crisis, urging regional and international leaders to step in and prevent the country from descending into chaos once again.
Guterres described the situation as a “security emergency,” highlighting the intensifying clashes and the political upheaval that threatens to undo the fragile peace agreement established in 2018.
The political climate has only worsened with the arrest of Vice President Riek Machar last month, a move that many argue undermines the power-sharing agreement that helped end years of brutal fighting.
Clashes between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those aligned with Machar have been reported near the capital, Juba, further destabilizing the region.
The revocation of visas for South Sudanese passport holders signals a significant shift in US foreign policy towards the country, which remains one of the world’s poorest and most conflict-ridden nations.
While Rubio and the US government have vowed to reconsider their stance if South Sudan shows full cooperation, the road ahead remains uncertain.
As tensions between the US and South Sudan continue to mount, observers are closely watching how the South Sudanese government will respond, especially as the country faces mounting pressure both domestically and internationally.
With a fragile peace and ongoing political and military struggles, South Sudan’s future remains precarious, and the world will be watching closely to see how this new diplomatic crisis unfolds.
