The United States (Donald Trump US President) has announced the immediate revocation of all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders and a halt to new visa issuances, citing Juba’s refusal to accept repatriated citizens.
In a strongly worded statement on Saturday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused South Sudan’s transitional government of failing to uphold international norms by refusing to accept its deported nationals.
“Effective immediately, the United States Department of State is revoking all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders and blocking further entries,” Rubio said. He added that Washington would review the decision only when South Sudan demonstrates full cooperation. “It is time for South Sudan to stop taking advantage of the United States.”
The move affects hundreds of South Sudanese nationals, including those under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) programme. TPS, granted during the Biden administration, had shielded 133 individuals from deportation due to ongoing instability, with another 140 eligible to apply. The protection is set to expire on May 3, 2025.
The visa sanctions come as tensions flare in South Sudan, where fears of renewed civil war are mounting. First Vice President Riek Machar was placed under house arrest last week, accused of attempting to incite a rebellion. Fighting in the Upper Nile state has intensified between the military and the White Army militia—formerly allied with Machar during the 2013-2018 conflict that left over 400,000 dead.
African Union mediators are currently in Juba in a last-ditch effort to de-escalate the political crisis and prevent another devastating war
