WASHINGTON — The United States government has taken a firm stance by revoking all visas held by individuals with South Sudanese passports. This was announced Saturday by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who accused South Sudan’s administration of “taking advantage of the United States.”
In a statement, Rubio emphasized the responsibility of every country to promptly accept the return of its nationals when they are to be deported by another country, such as the U.S. He remarked, “South Sudan’s transitional government has not fully adhered to this obligation.”
This visa revocation is accompanied by a suspension on further visa issuance, effectively barring South Sudanese passport holders from entering the U.S. This move highlights the escalating diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
South Sudan remains on a delicate political foot, with recent clashes between government forces and armed opposition factions heightening national instability. Only a week ago, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed to regional and global powers to help avert South Sudan’s descent into another civil war.
Guterres has voiced a dire warning about South Sudan’s precarious situation, identifying a “security emergency” as the country’s clashes and political unrest intensify. This turmoil includes the recent arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar by the South Sudanese government, further exacerbating the already fragile state of affairs.