Washington DC: In a sweeping escalation that risks further straining ties with Juba, the United States on Saturday revoked all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders, citing the country’s refusal to accept deported nationals.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the decision in a strongly worded statement, saying the move takes effect immediately and will block both current and future travel to the US by South Sudanese citizens.
“Effective immediately, the United States Department of State is taking actions to revoke all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders and prevent further issuance,” Rubio said. “Every country must accept the return of its citizens in a timely manner when another country, including the US, seeks to remove them.”
The secretary also took aim at Juba’s leadership, accusing the transitional government of exploiting its relationship with Washington. “It is time for South Sudan’s transitional government to stop taking advantage of the United States,” he said, adding that visa policies would be reviewed if and when full cooperation resumes.
I am taking actions to revoke all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders and to restrict any further issuance to prevent entry into the United States, effective immediately, due to the failure of South Sudan’s transitional government to accept the return of its repatriated…
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) April 5, 2025
The South Sudanese Embassy in Washington has not yet responded to the announcement.
The visa sanctions come as the fragile peace in South Sudan shows signs of unravelling. African Union envoys arrived in Juba earlier this week to broker crisis talks aimed at averting another descent into civil war, following the controversial house arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar.
President Salva Kiir’s administration has accused Machar of attempting to stir rebellion, a charge his allies reject. The accusations have reignited fears of ethnic conflict in a nation still recovering from a devastating five-year civil war that left hundreds of thousands dead and displaced millions.
The Trump administration, under which Rubio now serves as secretary of state, has consistently pushed hardline immigration policies, including penalties for countries that obstruct deportation processes. These can include visa sanctions, economic measures, and public condemnation.
Saturday’s order marks one of the most significant visa actions against an African country during the current administration and lands at a time when South Sudan’s already tenuous peace is under growing strain.
Analysts warn that the escalating pressure from Washington, coupled with rising political tensions at home, could further destabilize the world’s youngest nation.
