South Sudan seeks diplomatic reset with Washington amid deportation dispute

In a bid to ease escalating tensions with the United States,South Sudan is dispatching a high-level delegation to Washington to address a growing diplomatic rift linked to the deportation of its nationals. The move follows the US government’s recent decision to cancel all visa services for South Sudanese citizens,citing the country’s refusal to accept individuals being repatriated. At the heart of the dispute is the controversial case of Makula Kintu,a deportee whose rejection at Juba International Airport triggered Washington’s sharp response.

Although Kintu has since been granted entry into South Sudan,the diplomatic fallout has been swift and severe. The government in Juba responded by dismissing its Foreign Affairs Minister in a rare display of accountability,signaling the seriousness with which it views the rupture. Yet Washington remains firm,with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio framing the issue as one of “national security and public safety.” The episode has placed unprecedented strain on US–South Sudan relations,just as the East African nation seeks to maintain international partnerships amidst domestic challenges.

Leading the South Sudanese delegation are Finance Minister Marial Dongrin Ater,Central Bank Governor Johnny Ohisa Damian,and Civil Registry Director Elia Kosta Faustino. The delegation’s mission is to broker a resolution that ensures the “orderly,legal,and dignified” return of 137 South Sudanese nationals facing deportation from the US. Whether this diplomatic outreach will be sufficient to repair the strained relationship remains uncertain,but it marks a clear attempt by Juba to re-establish goodwill and navigate an increasingly complex international landscape.