US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has declared that the United States is immediately cancelling visas granted to all South Sudanese passport holders. This decision stems from South Sudan’s refusal to take back its citizens who have been expelled from the US. Mr. Rubio also stated that US citizens of South Sudan will be blocked from entering the country at any port of entry. He attributed this decision to the failure of South Sudan’s transitional government to promptly accept the return of its citizens who have been removed from the US.

Also, the policy is aligned with President Donald Trump’s immigration strategy of expelling unlawful migrants from the US on a large scale. Mr. Rubio announced, “It is time for the Transitional Government of South Sudan to stop taking advantage of the United States. Every country must accept the return of its citizens in a timely manner when another country, including the United States, seeks to remove them.” This is amid mounting concerns that South Sudan might be heading towards civil war again.

In March, the US prompted all its non-emergency staff in South Sudan to leave after fighting broke out, which threatened the fragile peace deal established in 2018. Previously, South Sudanese in the US were given Temporary Protected Status (TPS), allowing them to remain in the US for a certain period. This TPS status for South Sudanese in the US was set to expire on 3rd May.

South Sudan, Africa’s newest country, attained independence in 2011 following its separation from Sudan. However, in 2013, a dispute between President Salva Kiir and Vice-President Riek Machar escalated into a civil war, resulting in the death of over 400,000 people. A power-sharing agreement in 2018 halted the hostilities, but crucial elements of the deal, such as a new constitution, an election, and the integration of armed groups into a unified army, have yet to be implemented. Ethnic and local violence continues to occur in some parts of the country.

Since returning to office, the Trump administration has faced conflicts with international governments concerning the deportation of their nationals from the US. In January, Colombian President Gustavo Petro blocked two US military flights carrying deported migrants from landing in his South American country. He withdrew his opposition after Trump threatened to impose severe tariffs and sanctions on Colombia.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn5x775plnlo