Following the United States’ decision to deport about 132 South Sudanese nationals, South Sudan has decided to send a delegation to the North American country to examine the situation.
According to Vice President Bol Mel’s office statement, the representatives, headed by Finance Minister Marial Dongrin Ater, will visit the US capital in the days ahead.
“This delegation will work in close coordination with the US Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security to facilitate an orderly, legal, and dignified return process,” the statement read partly.
This diplomatic push is in reaction to a recent event that has heightened relations between the two countries.
South Sudan originally refused to accept the return of one deportee, claiming that the man was a citizen of the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo, as reported by Bloomberg.
The United States government responded by suspending visas for all South Sudanese nationals, barring travel access for government officials, students, and others.
The South Sudanese government has recently changed its position and declared a desire to collaborate. The vice president’s office portrayed the original refusal as a “regrettable and isolated” episode, attempting to reassure US officials that similar scenarios would not occur again.
South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, nevertheless relies significantly on international diplomacy and aid.
The visa restriction put a tremendous strain on diplomatic relations and threatened to further isolate the oil-rich country from its foreign allies.
The 137 nationals facing deportation are part of a larger trend of immigration enforcement by US officials.
The next few days will be key in assessing the effectiveness of the diplomatic trip and whether South Sudan can repair confidence following a rare but substantial breakdown in collaboration.
