In a bid to defuse recent diplomatic tensions, South Sudan has announced it is sending a high-level delegation to the United States to discuss arrangements for the transfer of approximately 137 of its nationals slated for deportation. The move follows an unprecedented diplomatic row sparked by the deportation of an individual allegedly holding South Sudanese citizenship.
The office of South Sudan’s Second Vice President, Benjamin Bol Mel, issued a statement confirming the government’s “full responsibility in addressing the matter with the seriousness and urgency it deserves.” The delegation includes Finance Minister Marial Dengaren Ater, Central Bank Governor Johnny Ohisa Damian, and Director of Civil Registry Elijah Costa Faustino.
The delegation will work closely with the U.S. Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security to ensure a “legal, orderly, and dignified repatriation process.”
The Crisis Spark
The crisis began on April 6 when Washington announced plans to revoke visas for several South Sudanese passport holders after Juba refused to receive certain deportees from the U.S.
One individual, identified as Nyameri Garang, was deported but initially denied entry at Juba Airport. South Sudanese authorities claimed his documents were forged and that he was actually a Congolese national named Makola Kinto.
The incident ignited a diplomatic spat between the two nations. However, South Sudan later reversed its decision and allowed Kinto to enter, citing its “ongoing friendly relations” with the U.S.
Domestic Fallout
The crisis also had political repercussions within South Sudan. On April 10, President Salva Kiir Mayardit dismissed Foreign Minister Ramadan Abdullah Gok and appointed former deputy minister Mondy Simaya Kumba as his replacement.
The move was widely seen as an attempt to assign political accountability for the diplomatic misstep and to reinforce Juba’s commitment to strengthening its foreign affairs institutions.
Formal Apology and Diplomatic Assurances
The Vice President’s office described the incident as “regrettable and isolated,” and stated that internal measures had been taken to prevent future occurrences.
The South Sudanese government issued a formal apology to the United States for “any inconvenience the situation may have caused,” and expressed a strong desire to resolve the issue “in a spirit of cooperation.”
In a notable diplomatic gesture, Juba also extended its appreciation to U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for their “continued commitment to enforcing American immigration policy.”
President Salva Kiir reaffirmed his support for maintaining a “warm, constructive, and positive” bilateral relationship with the United States, highlighting shared interests, particularly about strategically vital resources essential to both nations’ economies and security.
