The diplomatic rift between the US and South Sudan has intensified due to South Sudan’s refusal to accept a deported individual, leading the US to revoke visas for all South Sudanese passport holders. Criticism of this decision has surfaced, emphasizing the potential humanitarian impacts amidst rising instability in South Sudan. Appeals to reverse the decision have been made by US legislators advocating for the rights of South Sudanese in the US.
The United States and South Sudan are currently experiencing diplomatic tensions following South Sudan’s refusal to accept a deported individual, whom they claimed was a Congolese national misusing South Sudanese travel documents. In response, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized South Sudan for failing to cooperate on repatriation requests, stating that nations must accept the return of their citizens promptly. As a consequence, the US has announced the revocation of visas for all South Sudanese passport holders, effective immediately.
South Sudan’s transitional government, formed by President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar in 2020, is facing increasing instability, leading to violence between government forces and opposition groups. The revocation of visas has raised alarm, especially among those granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which safeguards individuals from deportation due to unsafe conditions in their home country. Critics argue that this action contradicts the humanitarian principles historically upheld by the United States.
International relations analyst Abiol Lual Deng expressed skepticism regarding South Sudan’s culpability in this matter, suggesting that targeting a nation like South Sudan over a singular incident is disproportionate. He noted that smaller nations may find it challenging to withstand pressure from the US, particularly given its firm stance even against stronger allies. Deng remarked on the unprecedented nature of the current diplomatic climate.
South Sudanese officials characterized the US measures as unjust, asserting that the incident involved was isolated and that they had otherwise cooperated with deportation processes. Subsequent to their initial refusal, authorities in Juba verified the deportee’s Congolese nationality and later permitted him entry into the country, reflecting a willingness to maintain amicable relations with the US.
The potential impacts of the US visa revocation extend to a vast demographic, notably over 100 South Sudanese TPS holders, along with athletes and professionals studying or working in the US. A group of Democratic representatives from North Carolina has appealed to Secretary Rubio to reconsider the visa revocation, arguing for the rights and contributions of South Sudanese individuals in the US. They emphasized these individuals’ integral roles in local communities, their pursuit of education, and their professional aspirations.
The diplomatic rift between the United States and South Sudan, rooted in a contested deportation issue, has escalated to the revocation of all visas for South Sudanese nationals. This development not only poses a significant humanitarian concern for those residing in the US under TPS, but also casts a shadow over the fragile state of South Sudan’s political environment. Observers warn that such measures may disproportionately impact vulnerable groups, indicating a shift away from the US’s traditional humanitarian values.
Original Source: www.dw.com
