South Sudan responds to US visa revocation orders

South Sudan has expressed remorse over the United States' decision to revoke visas for all its citizens for failing to adhere to repatriation directives.

In a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, South Sudan clarified the identity of two citizens who were repatriated to their country, calling it a case of misrepresentation.
This is after a deportee was denied entry at Juba International Airport on April 5 and 6.

“Comprehensive verification processes confirmed that this individual is a national of the Democratic Republic of Congo, named Makula Kintu. In accordance with our immigration protocols, he was not admitted and was subsequently returned to the sending country for further processing,” explained the Ministry.

Records from both governments indicate that Kantu is a citizen of the Democratic Republic of Congo and not a South Sudanese, as earlier suggested by the US.

Kintu is said to have entered the US in August 2003 and voluntarily departed for the DRC in 2009, but later returned to the US illegally.

The Ministry dismissed the reports of failing to allow the timely repatriation of its citizens.

“The Government welcomes all its citizens, whether they are returning voluntarily or through deportation processes”.

South Sudan has noted details of another Sudanese national scheduled to arrive in Juba by May 13, 2025.

The government has expressed regret for the circumstances that led to the current situation.

“The Government deeply regrets that despite this history of collaboration and partnership, South Sudan now faces a broad revocation of visas based on an isolated incident involving misrepresentation by an individual who is not a South Sudanese national,” added the Ministry.

The country has reaffirmed its commitment to resolving the misunderstanding through constructive dialogue and collaboration.