The decision by the Trump administration to revoke visas for all South Sudanese passport holders has intensified the political and humanitarian challenges facing the nation, which is the world's youngest country.
As tensions among political leaders escalate, particularly following the house arrest of the vice president in late March, South Sudan risks descending into civil war. Millions are currently grappling with hunger, displacement, and disease outbreaks as violence escalates and U.S. aid diminishes.
Regional observers interpret the visa ban as indicative of Washington's retreat during a critical time for South Sudan, a nation the U.S. supported in gaining independence from Sudan nearly 15 years ago. Daniel Akech, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, remarked on the adverse effect of the visa ban, stating that it exacerbates existing anxieties.
On Saturday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the revocation of visas for South Sudanese nationals and suspended further entries into the United States. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau indicated on social media that the visa policy was influenced by South Sudan's refusal to accept the repatriation of one of its nationals.
The Trump administration has not clarified if it will seek to deport South Sudanese nationals whose visas have been revoked. The South Sudanese government has not issued a statement regarding the visa ban, and inquiries went unanswered.
Statistical data reveals that South Sudan sends relatively few travelers to the United States, with only 46 nonimmigrant visas issued in January, in contrast to over 2,500 for people from neighboring Kenya.
This visa cancellation coincides with deepening political divisions between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar, jeopardizing the fragile peace established by a 2018 agreement that concluded a five-year civil war, which resulted in nearly 400,000 fatalities and widespread displacement.
Activists report that several opposition figures have been arrested, with their current locations unknown. Additionally, recent clashes between the Sudanese military and forces allied with Machar have occurred in various regions, including an incident in March where a U.N. helicopter was attacked, resulting in casualties.
Uganda has deployed troops in South Sudan at President Kiir's request, a move that has angered Machar and heightened regional tensions. Diplomatic efforts to resolve the discord have so far been unsuccessful, leading to concerns about further instability and potential government collapse.
U.S. aid reductions are compounding challenges in rebuilding after years of conflict. In the previous year, the U.S. allocated $705 million for essential programs in South Sudan, but aid groups report a significant decrease in funding since the Trump administration took office, leaving many vulnerable communities without necessary support in the face of flooding, cholera outbreaks, and food shortages.
Denish Ogenrwot, an advocacy lead for Action Against Hunger, described South Sudan as "the forgotten crisis of the world," noting that his agency has cut nearly two-thirds of its staff and closed several facilities, forcing families to travel longer distances for assistance.
Akech indicated that the visa revocations could adversely affect South Sudanese nationals in the U.S., many of whom are students or family supporters. He emphasized that the focus of such measures should be on the elite responsible for the country's issues, rather than the broader population.
Concerns about potential deportations have been voiced by South Sudanese opposition officials in the U.S., who fear that repatriated individuals may face severe consequences from the government. Reath Muoch Tang, a senior official in Machar's party, stressed the need for U.S. actions to promote accountability among leaders while protecting the rights and safety of ordinary South Sudanese citizens.