The Government of South Sudan has extended an apology to the American Government following a diplomatic disagreement that arose when South Sudan refused to accept a Congolese deportee from the United States.
In a statement released on April 6, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the United States was revoking visas for South Sudanese passport holders due to the nation’s transitional government declining to accept citizens expelled from the U.S.
However, in a twist, a day later the South Sudan Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Apuk Ayuel Mayen clarified that the individual presented as a South Sudanese deportee was actually a national from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) named Makula Kintu, who had come to the U.S. under the name Nimeri Garang. Following this revelation, he was returned to the U.S.
Under mounting pressure, South Sudan revised its stance and allowed Kintu entry into Juba on April 9 after the U.S. revoked visas for its passport holders.
On Saturday, Vice President Benjamin Bol Mel released a press statement expressing gratitude to President Donald J. Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for their leadership in enforcing U.S. immigration policy.
The statement read, “We apologize for any inconvenience caused to the United States of America and reiterate our desire to resolve this issue swiftly and in a spirit of cooperation.”
In a move aimed at mending relations, Vice President Bol referenced a recent offer made by Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix Tshisekedi to provide the U.S. access to minerals in an effort to assist with ongoing rebellions in eastern Congo.
He stated that President Gen. Salva Kir Mayardit is committed to fostering positive engagement with the United States across various sectors, including trade, investment, and regional security.
“South Sudan is proud to stand with the United States as a partner in securing access to strategic resources vital to both South Sudan and the U.S. economies and national security,” Bol said.
Furthermore, the statement revealed that South Sudan will send a high-level delegation to Washington, D.C. in the upcoming days to address the urgent issue regarding approximately 137 South Sudanese nationals facing deportation orders from the United States.
The delegation will be led by Hon. Marial Dongrin ATER, the Minister of Finance and Planning, Hon. Johnny Ohisa DAMIAN, the Governor of the Bank of South Sudan, and Mr. Elia Kosta FAUSTINO, the Director General of the Directorate of Civil Registry, Nationality, Passport and Immigration.
This group will work closely with U.S. officials from the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security to facilitate a lawful and dignified return process for those affected.
The South Sudanese Government has emphasized its commitment to handle this situation promptly and seriously.
They stated, “The Government of the Republic of South Sudan takes full responsibility for addressing this matter with the seriousness and urgency it deserves. Hence, the incident involving Mr. Kintu was regrettable and isolated, and internal measures have since been taken to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.”
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