The U.S., once a proponent of South Sudan’s independence, has now revoked the visas of all South Sudanese citizens. The Trump administration stated that the South Sudanese government has not been promptly accepting the return of its citizens.
This decision could result in South Sudanese individuals being sent back to a country nearing civil war or being unable to seek refuge in the U.S.
The South Sudanese government has not yet responded. Since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, it has struggled to provide basic services. Years of conflict have made the nation of over 11 million heavily dependent on aid, which has been affected by the Trump administration’s cuts to foreign assistance.
Here’s a look at South Sudan, whose people had been granted temporary protected status by the U.S. due to insecurity, which is set to expire on May 3.
A deadly divide
The initial joy of independence devolved into civil war two years later. In 2013, rival factions supporting President Salva Kiir and his deputy Riek Machar engaged in conflict in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.
The tensions between Kiir and Machar have been central to the country’s instability. Pope Francis once knelt and kissed their feet, pleading for lasting peace.
The five-year civil war resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths. A peace agreement in 2018 remains fragile and not fully implemented, frustrating the U.S. and other international supporters. South Sudan has not yet held its long-awaited presidential election, and Kiir remains in power.
Kiir’s rivalry with Machar, along with ethnic divisions, has persisted despite multiple attempts to reinstate Machar as vice president. Machar believes he is destined to be president, citing a prophecy from his ethnic group.
Late last month, the threat of war resurfaced. Machar was arrested, and his allies in the government and military were detained after a militia from his ethnic group seized an army garrison. The government responded with airstrikes, resulting in dozens of deaths. A United Nations helicopter was also attacked.
Following the arrest, Machar’s opposition party declared that the peace deal is effectively over.
“Let’s not mince words: What we are seeing is darkly reminiscent of the 2013 and 2016 civil wars, which killed 400,000 people,” U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned recently.
Some Western countries have closed their embassies, while others, including the U.S., have reduced embassy staff.
A country in disarray
South Sudan’s government relies heavily on oil production, but little of the revenue reaches the people, partly due to corruption. Civil servants are often unpaid for months.
The conflict in neighboring Sudan has disrupted South Sudan’s oil exports. Refugees from Sudan have added to the instability.
Climate-related disasters like flooding have caused displacement and school closures. South Sudan’s health and education systems were already weak. Aid organizations have been providing support, but this network has been affected by U.S. aid cuts.
The Trump administration’s announcement on Saturday evening revoking visas for all South Sudanese contrasts sharply with Washington’s past support for rebel leaders, including Kiir and Machar, who fought for independence.
South Sudanese citizens have had educational and other opportunities in the U.S. for years. On Saturday, hours after the State Department’s announcement, a South Sudanese freshman played in Duke’s starting lineup at the men’s NCAA basketball tournament Final Four. Duke spokesman Frank Tramble stated that the university is aware of the announcement and is working to understand any implications for Duke students.
It is unclear how many South Sudanese hold U.S. visas or how American authorities will proceed. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau stated on social media that the dispute concerns one person, certified by South Sudan’s embassy in Washington, whom Juba has refused to accept. The person was not identified.
The U.S. stated that no new visas will be issued and that it will review these actions when South Sudan fully cooperates.
—Associated Press sports writer Jim Vertuno in San Antonio, Texas, contributed.