South Sudan has reversed its position in a diplomatic dispute with the United States over a deportation case. Juba initially refused to accept a deportee at the center of escalating tensions. The South Sudan deportation dispute with US began when Juba officials rejected an individual they claim is Congolese, not South Sudanese.
South Sudan’s foreign ministry announced a policy shift on Tuesday. The government will now allow the deportee, Makula Kintu, to enter the country. They made this decision “in the spirit of the friendly relations between South Sudan and the United States.”
The ministry’s statement confirmed the change. “The government has instructed the relevant authorities at Juba International Airport to facilitate Mr. Makula Kintu permission to enter the country as early as tomorrow.”
This reversal follows US threats of significant consequences. US officials declared they would block South Sudanese citizens from entering the United States. This severe diplomatic pressure likely prompted Juba’s change of heart.
The controversy started when a man arrived at Juba International Airport on April 5 and 6. He presented a South Sudanese Travel Document under the name Nimeri Garang. Juba’s authorities investigated and identified him as Makula Kintu. They claim he is a citizen of the Democratic Republic of Congo born on April 2, 1977.
South Sudan’s ministry claimed their “comprehensive verification processes” confirmed his Congolese nationality. During his immigration interview in Juba, Kintu reportedly identified himself as a member of the Ema tribe from North Kivu province in the DRC. He also claimed someone had forcibly sent him to South Sudan.
Juba officials say they shared video evidence of this interview with US representatives. They sent it to both the US Ambassador in Juba and the US State Department in Washington.
The US responded quickly and forcefully. In a Saturday statement, US officials announced a block on all South Sudanese citizens at US ports of entry. They cited “the failure of South Sudan’s transitional government to accept the return of its repatriated citizens in a timely manner.”
US officials added: “We will review these actions when South Sudan cooperates fully.”
Juba insists they continue to cooperate with the US on deportation matters. They have issued emergency travel documents for 21 out of 23 individuals identified by American authorities. They successfully repatriated most deportees. However, they found two—Kintu and another person from Sudan—were not South Sudanese citizens.
This dispute comes at a sensitive time for bilateral relations. The US government ordered its non-emergency staff to leave South Sudan last month. This followed violent clashes in several regions.
The incident reflects broader changes in US immigration enforcement. Border officials now apply more aggressive measures at ports of entry. They scrutinize green card and visa holders who oppose US policies.
South Sudan, the world’s newest country, now commits to accepting its “verified nationals” scheduled for deportation from the US. They will also accept Kintu despite maintaining he is not their citizen.
This resolution highlights the complex relationship between immigration policies, national sovereignty, and international relations. These factors continue to shape how nations interact in our interconnected world.