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  The United States is revoking all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Rubio stated that the decision “takes immediate effect” due to South Sudan’s failure to accept the return of its repatriated citizens “in a timely manner”.

Rubio also accused the African nation of “taking advantage of the United States”.

“We will review these actions when South Sudan fully cooperates,” he said.

US President Donald Trump’s administration has increased immigration enforcement, including the repatriation of individuals deemed to be in the US unlawfully.

The administration has cautioned that countries that fail to promptly repatriate their citizens will face consequences, including visa sanctions or tariffs.

Besides revoking visas, Rubio stated that the US would “prevent further issuance to prevent entry into the United States by South Sudanese passport holders”.

South Sudan’s embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.

South Sudan attained independence from Sudan in 2011 but has since been plagued by conflict and instability.

The country’s political situation remains delicate, and recent violence between government troops and armed opposition groups has escalated.

In late March, South Sudanese opposition leader Riek Machar was taken into custody by President Salva Kiir’s government forces, a move that the United Nations has warned could risk a renewed civil war.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on regional and international leaders to prevent the country from “falling over the abyss”.

African Union mediators have arrived in the capital Juba this week to try to avert the crisis.

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/us-revokes-all-visas-for-south-sudanese-over-deportation-row-13343143