Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused the South Sudanese government of “taking advantage of the United States”.

“Every country has an obligation to accept the return of its nationals in a timely fashion when another country, including the United States, seeks to remove them,” he stated.

This decision comes at a time when there is growing concern across Africa that South Sudan might relapse into the civil war that claimed the lives of 400,000 people between 2013 and 2018.

Rubio further stated that Washington will suspend the issuance of new visas “to prevent individuals from South Sudan from entering the United States”.

He added that the US would “assess these actions once South Sudan is in full cooperation”.

Since assuming office, the Trump administration has significantly increased immigration enforcement, which includes the deportation of those considered to be in the country unlawfully.

Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, granted South Sudanese nationals “temporary protected status” (TPS), with the designation set to expire on 3 May 2025.

TPS offers protection from deportation and is granted to citizens of foreign countries who cannot return home safely due to conflict, natural disasters, or other “extraordinary” conditions.

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last week called on regional and international leaders to prevent South Sudan from “slipping into the abyss” of another civil war.

A delegation from the African Union arrived in Juba, the South Sudanese capital, this week to hold talks aimed at preventing a new civil war.

The rise in tensions follows the house arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar.